For most children, the end of the school year evokes daydreams of fun and games and lazy summer days.

While examining the Department of Public Instruction reports, we found there are more than 250,000 children on the free and reduced lunch program in our 34-county service area. For children in low-income families, going to school means getting at least two good meals a day. During the summer that is no longer a source for hungry kids.

During the summertime, community-based nonprofit agencies supported by the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina report an increase in the number of parents and grandparents seeking food assistance for their families.

After experiencing this trend for years, we decided to initiate a new summer food and funds drive called Kids Summer Stock, and it came to your neighborhood in June.

Thank you for supporting Kids Summer Stock by attending food and fundraising events in Durham, Greenville, Raleigh, Southern Pines and Wilmington. Special thanks to our presenting sponsors for this inaugural event: Genworth Financial and Cisco Systems. Media sponsors included The Pilot.

With your support, Kids Summer Stock has provided 1,201,912 meals for children and their families in need so far this summer.

Hunger never rests, and the need never fades. As we head into the dog days of summer, please remember that the need exists until school starts again.

While you are enjoying your summer vacation, please take a moment to remember those in need of the most basic necessities by continuing to hold food drives and donating funds.

Peter Werbicki, President/CEO, Regional Food Bank