COURTLAND
No Kid Hungry Virginia recently awarded Southampton County Public Schools a $5,000 grant to expand an after-school meals program to Southampton Middle School. No Kid Hungry is a campaign dedicated to creating public-private partnerships with state, federal, nonprofit and private resources across Virginia to end child hunger in the Commonwealth.

The division plans to use the grant funding to purchase a refrigeration unit and to support marketing materials that build excitement and awareness about the program. According to Dr. Gwendolyn Shannon, Southampton County Public Schools’ superintendent, the meals program will be available to any middle school student staying after school for enrichment opportunities.

SCPS received the funds after its Food Services Department submitted a grant application.

“Mrs. Cheryl Bowers, Food Services supervisor, and all of our food service staff members do a magnificent job ensuring that our students have a wholesome and tasty meal,” Shannon said. “Mrs. Bowers has definitely gone above the call of duty by searching for and writing grants to provide additional meals to students.

“Currently, both Southampton High School and Riverdale Elementary School provide afterschool meals to their students. We are proud of Mrs. Bowers and our Food Service team and are grateful for their commitment to excellence. We are happy to be the recipients of the No Kid Hungry Grant!”

Details on the new meals program will soon be sent to parents and middle school students, including the start date and time.