ELDRED, NY — A new summer meal kit program started by the Regional Food Bank will feed 106 children in Sullivan County, half of whom are from the Eldred Central School District.

Representatives from Eldred Central School District, Sullivan 180, Regional Food Bank and the New York Assembly explained the program at George Ross Mackenzie Elementary School during an announcement on Wednesday, June 24.

“In Sullivan County, 20% of children—which is one out of five—face food insecurity,” Traci Ferriera, Eldred Central School District Superintendent, said. “In our small district, 40% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch.”

An estimated 808,000 children have lost Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits since March due to cuts from President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Programs provided by local food banks aim to fill the gap for families.

The meal kits include items like shelf-stable milk and juice, pasta, fruit and rice. Families will be mailed 14 meals weekly, which includes both breakfast and lunch.

“I know how it feels when I’m hungry, but I don’t know how it feels to go hungry,” Denise Frangipane, CEO of Sullivan 180 commented. 

Regional Food Bank CEO Thomas Nardacci emphasized the importance of the meal kits being delivered by UPS, as some families have limited transportation.

“We’re being intentional about trying to do more in counties like Sullivan where they need it so much,” he said. 

Assembly Member Paula Kay thanked Sullivan 180 for bringing the issue to her attention, stating that “collaboration, working together, is the only way to make things happen.”

In addition to the meal kit program, Eldred also has a long-standing backpack program. The program has been ongoing for 12 years, according to school nurse Tracy Whitney. 

Together with school counselor Michelle Gallo, Whitney explained that the backpack program sends students home with meals in a backpack. The program doesn't require families to submit their financial information to be eligible, and food is sent home in a backpack so that students don't feel singled out from their peers.  

“I was thrilled to see how many people signed up for the program and took advantage of that,” Gallo said about the backpack program.

George Ross Mackenzie Elementary also has a food pantry, stocked with essentials such as canned foods, cereal and more.

“This is all I want to do,” Nardacci said about the food programs. “It is the most gratifying thing we do.”