Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

6/28/06

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School District and City of Pacific
Awarded Grant for Summer Literacy Program

The Auburn School District received a grant for $3,990 to ensure that children in the City of Pacific eat healthy food and stay engaged in literacy enrichment activities all summer long. From July 31 to August 17, at the City of Pacific Community Center, 20 Pacific students entering the fourth or fifth grades will focus on reading and writing, building their literacy skills. These hands-on, “food-based” activities will combat summer learning loss. Children will also receive free meals, made possible through the US Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program.

Eric Boutin, supervisor of Child Nutrition Services for the Auburn School District, submitted the grant proposal. The grant—made possible through Feed Your Brain, a collaborative project involving School’s Out Washington, the Children’s Alliance and the Discuren Charitable Foundation—will provide funding for staff, curriculum, supplies and materials.

Most people think that childhood hunger is most acute in the winter months, but studies show that summer is the hardest time for children to find consistent meals. Families who depend on free school meals to help with food bills are often overwhelmed and turn to food banks. Nationwide demand at food banks increases by 30 percent each summer. In addition to hunger, kids are also at risk of experiencing learning loss during the summer months when they do not engage in educational activities. Some researchers believe that summer learning loss is the primary contributor to the achievement gap that exists between low-income and middle-class students.

For additional information contact Eric Boutin, supervisor of Child Nutrition Services, at (253) 931-4972.