Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Johnson County Aging and Human Services wins NACO award for summer snack-pack program that served 403 children
Summary
Aging and Human Services won a NACO award for a 2024 summer snack-pack program that targeted children in food-insecure households. Staff reported spending $19,836 of ARPA/SLFRF funds to assemble and distribute kid-friendly snack packs to 403 children from 169 households across county human-services offices and food pantries.
County manager Penny Posto-Ferguson and Aging and Human Services Director Megan Leahy described a 2024 summer snack-pack program that the county submitted for and received a National Association of Counties (NACo) award. The program distributed child-focused snack packs at the county—s human-services offices and pantries to supplement food access during the summer months when school meals are unavailable.
Megan Leahy said the program prioritised single-serve, kid-friendly items — individual mac-and-cheese cups, ramen, granola bars, fruit cups and reusable insulated lunch bags — and that the county leveraged vendor partnerships to stretch funds. The department spent $19,836 from ARPA/SLFRF funding on food and served 403 children from 169 households. Staff said the program was a team effort by existing staff and that the approach could be scaled or replicated; the program was paused in 2025 as pantries faced greater demand for staple items.
Commissioners congratulated staff and discussed outreach and coordination with school-based summer meal programs and regional food partners.
