After today, school will be out. For some, this means fun-filled summer vacations. Yet for many families, it also means struggling to feed children without the luxury of school lunches.

To help ease this burden, Sharon Tedder of Minot has put together a new “Food for Summer” event at which families can pick up a bag of groceries to feed their children.

The recurring event will take place May 27 and June 3 from 12-3 p.m. in the top back corner of the Maysa Arena. Tedder has received enough donations to purchase 25 bags filled with nutritious foods such as apples and bread, as well as a packet of ramen to keep the kids happy.

Tedder desires to “make this more than a one-time donation.” She hopes that with enough monetary donations, she will be able to purchase a sufficient number of groceries to get families through the summer, even on weekends.

She does not want to set a goal too high, so she hopes for about $280 to give 25 bags per week.

“We are about $100 shy for a third week of groceries,” she said.

Tedder is passionate about helping out her community because she has been there herself.

“There were times I went hungry because I had to choose between my child eating or myself. It didn’t help that at times there was a lack of assistance, or I made $2 too much so I didn’t qualify for assistance,” she said.

So far, Tedder is the sole orchestrator of this event; however, she hopes this cause will pick up traction with the public and gain local volunteers and donations in the upcoming weeks.

Tedder also has been talking with Amee Mitchell of Minot, and the two are hoping to collaborate on setting up a Seed Library for Minot in the upcoming months.

To donate or find out more, contact Tedder at s.mbennett89@yahoo.com.

North Dakota and Minot have long been aware of the need for summer meal programs for kids. Thus, North Dakota State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and North Dakota Health and Human Services Commissioner Chris Jones recently announced that about 45,000 children may receive food assistance this summer through “The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer.” It will benefit two different groups: children ages 0-5 whose households receive SNAP, and school-age children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.

“Hunger doesn’t take a vacation,” Jones said.

To receive the P-EBT benefit, parents of qualifying children should apply online at https://ndsummerebt.nd.gov.

In addition, Minot Public Schools will be offering free breakfast and lunch at the following locations for children 0-18, and up to age 22 for children with a mental or physical disability.

June 5-23

Central Campus, Jim Hill, Longfellow and Dakota

Breakfast: 7:45-10 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

June 5-Aug. 11

Perkett and Washington

Breakfast: 7:45-10 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.