The Maple Valley Food Bank needs helping feeding children during summer break.

With the end of the school year approaching, it comes the very real threat of hunger for children in the community. Youths will no longer have access to the free and reduced lunch and breakfast programs available throughout the school year.

Households that are already struggling financially find the loss of these programs to be an additional hardship for their families. Worried parents are asking for help, according to staff at the food bank.

The food bank is striving to help fill the gap by increasing the amount of food that families with children receive during June, July and August through this agency.

Throughout last summer’s program, 1,084 children were served (duplicated visits). In order to meet this season’s needs, the food bank is asking for additional kid-friendly foods. Requested donations include peanut butter, jelly, macaroni and cheese, individual fruit cups, soup, tuna and mayonnaise, and cereal.

Monetary donations can be made on the website www.maplevalleyfoodbank.org through Donate Now, or mailed to PO Box 322 Maple Valley, 98038.

Financial donations are greatly appreciated, allowing the agency to wholesale and bulk purchase, stretching the dollar up to three times.