When kids who receive free breakfast and lunch at school are off for the summer, their need for nutritious food doesn’t stop just because classes do.
The United Way of the Greater Capital Region has been offering a summer meals program for 10 years now, with nearly two million meals being distributed in that decade. Economics major Thomas Ragone ’24 is working with a team to ensure that the food being distributed is actually being consumed and providing nourishment as intended, and that the overall operation is cost-effective.
Summer Meals brings breakfast and lunch to underserved families in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties. Ragone has been surveying clients in the region’s more rural areas, who receive their food deliveries directly since they are often unable to access centralized drop off locations such as schools, parks and community centers.
The survey is available to clients through a QR code. They are asked specifically about their families’ food needs and preferences, what struggles and challenges they are facing and their overall satisfaction with the Summer Meals program.
He has also been riding along with United Way team members who deliver produce, dairy and proteins to suburban and urban clients, where he interviews them directly.
“I talk to families about what’s helpful for them,” he said. “I love being in these communities and building relationships.”
Ragone will use the data he is gathering this summer to conduct inflation forecasting for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, to assist with their budgeting for the coming year. His work is a part of a three-year AmeriCorps SPIn project through Siena’s Center for Academic Community Engagement (ACE).
“I have learned so much in such a short time,” he said. “This has been a very valuable experience.”
ACE will present on the results of their summer SPIN projects on Monday, Aug. 14 from 12-4PM in Snyder Hall.
“The Summer Meals program has helped many food-insecure families over the years, and we’re pleased to be able to work with them to gather data that will help the program be even more successful,” said Sarah Toledano, assistant director of ACE. “With inflation rising and SNAP benefits being cut, this service is more essential than ever and it’s crucial that it be as cost-effective as possible.”