On April 29, 2016, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon visited Rogers Middle School in Affton to announce a partnership with national anti-hunger not-for-profit Share our Strength and a coalition of state agencies and community-based organizations that includes ARCHS.
No Kid Hungry Missouri will work with school districts and other stakeholders to implement proven strategies to increase access to school breakfast, after school snacks, and summer meals. Currently, one in five children in Missouri struggle with hunger. In addition to this effort, ARCHS will continue this summer to lead a regional partnership with the USDA, the State of Missouri, and targeted school districts to increase summer food benefits through the nationally acclaimed Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) program.
"Child hunger is a serious problem – but it's a solvable one. That's why we're teaming up with No Kid Hungry to connect more kids in Missouri to the healthy food they need where they live, learn, and play," Gov. Nixon said. "The No Kid Hungry Missouri campaign will work to break down the barriers that stand between kids and the nutrition they need to grow up healthy and strong."
Students who eat school breakfast are 20 percent more likely to graduate high school, average 17.5 percent higher on math test scores, and attend 1.5 more days of school per year. But currently, too many students from low-income families miss out on free or reduced-price school breakfast because it is most often served before they arrive, or they do not want to face the stigma of eating alone in the cafeteria.
Making breakfast a part of the school day, by serving it in the classroom or at "Grab n Go" carts, can overcome these barriers. For example, Rogers Middle School offers Second Chance Grab and Go breakfast to all students between second and third hour. More than 50 percent of students participate and the program has recently expanded to Affton High School with help from student leadership.