RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - State education officials are coordinating with local agencies and nonprofit groups to ensure that children don't go hungry this summer. Last year, 140,854 received meals during the summer months through the Summer Nutrition Programs.

The Department of Public Instruction, in a news release, reported that the federal Agriculture Department has identified 47 counties in North Carolina as high priority or “Strike Force” counties. The Strike Force campaign is intended to leverage local partnerships in high poverty areas to ensure every community’s children have equal access to summer nutrition programs.

Cooperating partners must adhere to strict guidleines. The meals must be served to eligible children 18 years of age or younger, in an approved site. A site may be an open site, closed enrolled site or camp. The meals served at all sites must be provided at no charge to all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.