This year, United Way of Monroe County partnered with Read Across Monroe and summer lunch programs across the county to encourage summer learning for children in Monroe County. This effort kicked off Wednesday, June 21st through a Day of Action held at the Mountain Center in Coolbaugh Township.

More than 30,000 people in over 400 communities were volunteering with United Ways across the globe on June 21st, to make their communities stronger through a Day of Action. While each United Way creates meaningful activities centered on specific challenges in their communities, this year’s national focus was on summer learning and nutrition.

This national focus fit right in with current needs in Monroe County – with hunger an increasing concern in our community. That is why dozens of volunteers met at the new Mountain Center in Coolbaugh Township on Wednesday to help sort and box thousands of children’s books that were donated throughout June during a county-wide book drive organized by United Way. These books were collected and sorted for distribution at summer lunch programs across the county. Children accessing summer lunch programs will be given free books to encourage summer reading.

With over 13,000 children in Monroe County receiving free or reduced-price lunch throughout the four school districts in Monroe County, summer poses a unique challenge for many families. Without the daily support of school lunches, many families struggle to provide sufficient food for their families. Thankfully, there are over a dozen FREE summer lunch programs available for children across the county.

Summer is a critical time for children’s academic and physical well-being. Boosting summer learning and increasing access to healthy food – and working with schools, summer programs, employers and other non-profits – are part of United Way’s current strategy to help children in Monroe County succeed in school, work and life.

For more information about United Way’s programs, or to find out where to access summer lunch programs in Monroe County, contact Jen Strauch.