The Problem
Childhood hunger in Onslow County is rampant. Kids without adequate food over the weekend often suffer from stomachaches, the inability to focus, chronic absences, and frequent headaches. Long-term food insecurity can also result in behavioral problems, lower physical functions, and depressive disorders, especially in adolescents.
The Call to Action
When staff at Dixon Elementary noticed these tell-tale signs in their students, they realized they must act! The PTO, business leaders, area churches, local nonprofits, and United Way met and developed the CHEW! Program to respond to this urgent need.
How it works
The CHEW! Program assists children in our community by providing backpacks filled with child-friendly, easy to prepare meals over the weekend. Every week, volunteers from the community pack the bags, which are distributed to children on Friday. Since it's creation, schools across Onslow County have been looking to replicate this successful model.
Thirty schools currently operate as a CHEW! site: Bell Fork Elementary, Blue Creek Elementary, Clyde Erwin Elementary, Dixon Elementary, Dixon Middle, Dixon High, Early College, Heritage Elementary, Hunters Creek Elementary, Hunters Creek Middle, Jacksonville Commons Elementary, Jacksonville Commons Middle, Jacksonville High, Meadowview Elementary, Morton Elementary, New Bridge Middle, Northside High, Northwoods Elementary, Northwoods Park Middle, Parkwood Elementary, Richlands Elementary, Richlands High, Southwest Elementary, Southwest Middle, Southwest High, Stateside Elementary, Summersill Elementary, Thompson Early Childhood Center, Trexler Middle, White Oak High
Thirty schools currently operate as a CHEW! site: Bell Fork Elementary, Blue Creek Elementary, Clyde Erwin Elementary, Dixon Elementary, Dixon Middle, Dixon High, Early College, Heritage Elementary, Hunters Creek Elementary, Hunters Creek Middle, Jacksonville Commons Elementary, Jacksonville Commons Middle, Jacksonville High, Meadowview Elementary, Morton Elementary, New Bridge Middle, Northside High, Northwoods Elementary, Northwoods Park Middle, Parkwood Elementary, Richlands Elementary, Richlands High, Southwest Elementary, Southwest Middle, Southwest High, Stateside Elementary, Summersill Elementary, Thompson Early Childhood Center, Trexler Middle, White Oak High