In summer 2026, the Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine Area School District piloted a new Summer Food Program to help ensure children and families have access to nutritious meals when school is not in session.

The pilot program brought together the school district, families, and community partners to explore a new approach to summer meal access. Beyond providing meals, the program created an opportunity to learn what works, identify areas for improvement, and consider how the effort could grow in the future.

Access to healthy meals doesn't stop being important when the school year ends. Programs like this can help fill an important summer need while strengthening the connections between schools and the communities they serve.

Watch the video to learn more about the Summer Food Pilot Program, its impact on the community, and why access to nutritious meals during the summer months matters: