YAKIMA, Wash. — Less-fortunate kids in Southeastern Washington counties are getting fuel for their minds and bodies this summer, thanks to the Feed Your Brain project, supported with a $10,000 donation from Pacific Power’s charitable arm, the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning.

School’s Out Washington awarded grants of up to $4,000 to 15 rural Washington communities for Feed Your Brain literacy activities and free meals. In Southeastern Washington, the program is being held at the Children’s Home Society in College Place, the Touchet School District in Touchet, and the Yakama Christian Mission in White Swan. The Children’s Alliance and the Discuren Charitable Foundation also are contributing.

“Kids who aren’t engaged in learning activities during the summer months will most likely experience summer-learning loss or ‘brain drain,’” explained Lauren Rachal, School’s Out Washington’s grants and contracts specialist. “Some researchers believe that summer-learning loss is the primary contributor to the achievement gap that exists between low-income and middle-class students. Providing children with constructive academic and literacy activities during the summer months can prevent learning loss and make a huge impact on their academic success.”

In addition, Washington has the 10th-highest hunger rate in the nation, with many kids receiving free and reduced-price meals during the school year. Without access to free meals during the summer, many of these children will go hungry. The Feed Your Brain program keeps these children from slipping.

“Helping make sure our children begin school ready to learn is one of the primary goals of our foundation,” said Clark Satre, regional community manager for Pacific Power. “We’ve been supporting this program for more than four years. We believe we have a stake in the communities we serve, and this is one way Pacific Power can help.”

About the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning

The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning was created and incorporated in 1988 and serves as the major channel of philanthropy for PacifiCorp, Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power. To apply for a grant and to review eligibility requirements, go to  www.pacificorpfoundation.org .

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com