HOLLY RIDGE - The Kiwanis Foundation of Topsail Island, in partnership with Share the Table and the Town of Holly Ridge, is launching the Dixon Summer Bridge Lunch Program, a new initiative designed to help address childhood food insecurity during the summer months for 132 students attending Dixon-area schools in Onslow County.

The program was created to bridge a critical gap for students who rely on school meal programs during the academic year but may face limited access to nutritious food when school is out for the summer. Through this new effort, participating students will receive two weeks' worth of nutritious shelf-stable lunch items every other week throughout the summer, helping ensure they continue to have access to healthy meals while school is not in session.

Food distributions will be held bi-weekly at the Town of Holly Ridge Town Hall and First United Methodist Church of Sneads Ferry, providing convenient pickup locations for participating families. Families without transportation will have lunches delivered to their homes by Kiwanis volunteers.

"Hunger doesn't take a summer vacation, and neither does our commitment to serving children," said Vicki Fincham, President of the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area. "The Dixon Summer Bridge Lunch Program was developed after local educators identified a need among students attending Dixon-area schools. This new program helps ensure children continue to have access to nutritious meals during the summer months and bridges the gap between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next. By working together, we are investing in the health, well-being, and future success of local children."

The program is funded by the Kiwanis Foundation of Topsail Island, the Town of Holly Ridge, and Share the Table, with the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area serving as the administrative arm of the initiative.

Each lunch package will contain a variety of nutritious, child-friendly, shelf-stable foods designed to provide lunch options during summer break. Families will receive enough food at each distribution to provide lunches for the following two weeks.

The 132 participating students were identified by School Social Workers serving schools in the Dixon area of Onslow County. Through their direct work with students and families, School Social Workers identified children who may be at risk of food insecurity during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. Participation is by referral only, and enrollment is not open to the general public, ensuring resources are directed to students with the greatest need. Because School Social Workers have already identified participating students, no public application process is available for this program.

The Dixon Summer Bridge Lunch Program represents a collaborative community effort to ensure children remain nourished, healthy, and ready to learn when they return to school in the fall. By addressing a need identified within the Dixon community, the program strengthens the safety net for children and families during the summer months.

Community members, businesses, churches, civic organizations, and individuals interested in supporting the Dixon Summer Bridge Lunch Program through donations, sponsorships, or volunteer service are encouraged to contact the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area at kiwanis.topsail@gmail.com. Support from the community will help ensure local children continue to have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer months.

About the Dixon Summer Bridge Lunch Program

The Dixon Summer Bridge Lunch Program is a new community initiative serving 132 students attending Dixon-area schools in Onslow County. Through bi-weekly distributions of nutritious shelf-stable lunch foods, the program helps bridge the summer nutrition gap when school meal programs are unavailable. Participating students are identified through referrals from School Social Workers, ensuring assistance reaches children and families with demonstrated need.

About the Kiwanis Foundation of Topsail Island

The Kiwanis Foundation of Topsail Island supports programs that improve the lives of children and families throughout the Greater Topsail region. Through grants, partnerships, volunteer service, and community initiatives, the Foundation works to address critical needs related to food security, education, health, and youth development while advancing the Kiwanis mission of serving the children of the world.