The Hidden Struggle of Summer, Why Food Insecurity Doesn't Take a Vacation

Summer often arrives with a sigh of relief. The days are longer, the sun feels warmer, and people seem a little more relaxed. It’s the season of family barbecues, beach trips, garden parties, and weekends at the lake. But for many in our communities, summer doesn’t bring ease it brings deeper stress and quiet hardship.

While summer is typically associated with leisure, it can actually be the most difficult time of year for those already struggling to make ends meet. One reason? Children who rely on school meal programs suddenly find those supports gone. For working parents, this means finding both extra childcare and extra groceries. For seniors on fixed incomes, increased electricity costs for fans or air conditioning leave even less room in tight budgets for food. And for those working seasonal jobs or precarious employment, hours may be unreliable, and wages may not stretch far enough.

Meanwhile, food banks face a sharp drop in donations.

Winter often brings out the best in community generosity, holiday hampers, toy drives, and “season of giving” campaigns. But by the time summer rolls around, donations slow to a trickle. This doesn’t happen because people stop caring. It happens because we all get busy. We shift into vacation mode. We forget that hunger doesn’t take a holiday.

Behind the scenes, food banks work tirelessly to bridge the summer gap. They do more with less. They stretch inventory. They innovate and adapt. But they can’t do it alone.

That’s where we come in.

Now is the time to pause and consider what summer means for someone who is food insecure. When you’re hungry, you don’t think about enjoying the sunshine. You think about survival. And when the pantry is empty, there’s no break from that stress.

But here’s the good news: we can help.

Your donation, whether it’s a bag of groceries, a few dollars, or a commitment to volunteer, can make a world of difference. You don’t need to change someone’s entire life. Just help make their summer a little easier. A little less hungry. A little more hopeful.

So, this summer, as you enjoy the hazy, lazy days, take a moment to remember your neighbors who are quietly facing the heat of hardship. Reach out. Give what you