Chesapeake Pastor Named Summer Meals Hero Winner 2018

Washington, DC – The national anti-hunger campaign No Kid Hungry has announced five winners of its 2018 Summer Meals Hero contest. This year’s inspiring line-up of local champions is proof that it really does take a village to feed kids in the summertime. The winners include individuals from school districts and community organizations across the country who were nominated by members of their local community. Whether they spend their workday in a church, a hospital, or a food truck, these No Kid Hungry summer heroes go above and beyond to change the lives of kids in need.

One of the five recipients of the national award is Sarah Brown, Pastor at Church at Hampton Roads in Chesapeake. Sarah oversees the No Kid Hungry summer lunch program at Church at Hampton Roads, where she is a co-pastor with her husband Joel. She is committed to making sure kids in Chesapeake have access to a healthy lunch and exciting activities to stimulate their brains and keep them active. Sarah is described as a ‘beacon of hope’ for the kids in the community she serves. “She greets them with smiles and talks to them about their day and future plans,” says Jenny Fertig with Healthy Chesapeake. “She has a huge heart for the youth and her love and compassion for them cannot be ignored.” 1 in 7 kids in Chesapeake County face hunger.

Summer can be the hungriest time of year for many children from low-income families. When schools close, students no longer get school meals, and families struggle to put food on the table. Summer hunger can have a long-term impact on a child’s health, ability to learn and general well-being. No Kid Hungry and its partners focus on connecting kids to the national Summer Meals Program as a critical way to end childhood hunger.

“Reaching kids during the summer months can be a tough nut to crack, but I’m so inspired by the work that’s happening in communities all across the country,” said Lisa Davis, Senior Director of Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. “Thanks to everyday heroes like the amazing folks we’re recognizing today, many more kids will return to school this fall well-nourished and ready to learn.”