Meals 4 Kids was established in July 2014 and directly addresses food insecurity among marginalized, low-income children of color in Portland by providing nutritious meals. Modeled after Meals on Wheels People's traditional home delivery program for older adults, M4K focuses on households with youth living at or below 185% of the federal poverty line, particularly those facing barriers such as chronic illness or disability of the child or caregiver, inability to prepare meals, lack of transportation, and language barriers.

Our Meals 4 Kids Program delivers healthy, culturally responsive meals directly to food-insecure children and families. We focus on dietary needs and cultural preferences to strengthen nourishment and meaningful support for the diverse communities we serve.

Meals 4 Kids met its objectives through a combination of targeted outreach, culturally responsive programming, and rigorous tracking of outcomes. In the most recent program year, we:

• Delivered more than 285,000 culturally appropriate and nutritious meals, including fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy, to families in need in Portland, surpassing our stated goal.

• Distributed over 2,000 age-appropriate reading materials to children in participating families, supporting summer learning retention.

• Provided all 322 participating families with SNAP, nutrition relief, rental assistance, and other resource materials in their primary language, ensuring equitable access to support.

Quantitative data was collected through delivery tracking, participant surveys, and demographic records. Qualitative impact was assessed via participant surveys and feedback, which demonstrated improved food security, increased educational engagement, and stronger connections to community resources.

The impact of our Meals 4 Kids program is illustrated by the story of Maria, a program participant for seven years, who shares how M4K has been a lifeline for her family of five. “It helps us afford groceries. It encourages me to continue cooking instead of buying premade things that aren’t as healthy. My kids have become used to eating healthier, and we’re incorporating fish into our diet. We’d definitely be struggling without the program.”

Another participant, Katie, whose son has autism and epilepsy, emphasizes the program’s importance. “Having a child with special needs and a very restrictive diet is very expensive,” says Katie, who is a full-time caregiver. “Meals 4 Kids has given us a balance. Now, we can all eat properly and healthily. It’s reduced my stress and allowed me to focus more on taking care of things rather than worrying about food.”

Beyond food, the grant funds enabled us to deliver resource packets, connecting the family with SNAP enrollment assistance and local health clinics. These families' stories reflect how the grant directly improved quality of life by reducing food insecurity, saving time, and connecting families to vital community resources.

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