MIDDLEBURY — Mary Johnson Children’s Center recently received a $10,000 grant from the Help Feed Kids and Families During Summer program. The center has been working to respond to the dramatic surge in requests for food assistance during the COVID-19 crisis through its Middlebury Nourishes program.
The campaign is part of Shaw’s Nourishing Neighbors Community Relief Initiative. The funds will be used to support the center’s summer food service, which is providing breakfasts and lunches for two summer camps serving school-age children. There is an open site for community members to “grab-and-go” a daily, no-cost lunch and breakfast for children ages 2-18. Middlebury Nourishes is also delivering breakfasts and lunches to specific rural elementary schools.

“Many programs like ours are experiencing unprecedented demand as the pandemic takes an economic and emotional toll on people throughout our community,” said Anne Gleason, School Age Programs director for MJCC. “We’re grateful that Shaw’s and the Nourishing Neighbors Foundation stepped up to help us meet the need.”