(ATLANTA, Ga.) — While many Georgia kids look forward to days full of summer fun, others are facing months of hunger. Nearly one million Georgia students, representing about 56%, are currently eligible for free or reduced-price meals at Georgia schools.

A Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) program is taking aim at that problem, with the goal of providing Georgia’s kids with nutritious meals during summer. They call it Happy Helpings.

WSB’s Cheryl Castro has details on the program that’s offering free meals over the summer, to fill in the gap.

“Families can be assured that their children are getting quality healthy meals, and they’re all free,” says DECAL spokeswoman Cindy Kicklighter. Feeding Georgia estimates that over half a million children go without sufficient nutrition. “It provides those meals and snacks that are very nutritious, and they’re free to children throughout Georgia.”

Last summer, 875 meal sites participated, serving up 2.8 million meals across the state.

WSB anchor/reporter Cheryl Castro contributed to reporting for this story.

©2023 Cox Media Group