For many kids
living in poverty,
summer isn’t fair
When school lets out for summer, kids living in poverty can fall behind
Across the United States and around the world, kids are missing out on critical learning opportunities due to unequal access to resources. That's why Save the Children works to fill critical gaps in early learning to help ensure children have a healthy, strong foundation to thrive as learners. Together, with support from partners and donors like you, we're working to make summer fair.
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In the U.S., children living in poverty are starting kindergarten 18 months developmentally behind their peers
Save the Children works in more than 300 of rural America’s most impoverished communities, helping kids prepare for kindergarten and reach grade-level goals
Last year, Save the Children supported 1 million children across the U.S. with school and summer programming, along with vital supplies and resources for their families and communities
Learn Why We're Working to Make Summer Fair!
What is the impact of rural poverty on children?
In rural communities across the country, children from a wide range of backgrounds often struggle to access early education, nutritious food and the other resources they need to thrive.
- In 39 states, rural children are more likely to grow up in poverty than non-rural kids.
- Rural families are nearly 20% more likely to receive public assistance than non-rural families.
- Rural children are more likely to face food insecurity, with nearly 1 in 2 rural kids eligible for free and reduced-price school meals.
- Millions of kids living in rural America don't own a single book
Save the Children works with local partners to ensure children have a healthy, strong foundation to succeed as learners and in life. We bring decades of experience and expertise to delivering scalable solutions to the challenges children face through partnerships, programs, innovation and advocacy.
We’re at work in nearly every state, delivering educational support, child care, mental health resources and so much more.
How do Save the Children's programs help fill critical learning gaps for children living in rural poverty?
Save the Children collaborates with diverse rural American communities and equips them with resources to help those children who need it most, so kids enter kindergarten more ready to learn on their first day and are more able to reach critical grade-level goals in 3rd and 5th grades.
With a common focus on making a lifelong impact for children, community leaders and our experts work together so all children can thrive.
In addition, over 51,000 children participated in our Summer Reading Challenge last year, reading for a total of over 14.5 million minutes.
What is the goal of Save the Children's Make Summer Fair campaign?
For many children in rural America, summer isn’t a fun break from school. When school is out of session, many children in rural America don’t have access to essentials—nutritious food, the chance to learn and explore in safe environments, transportation, playgrounds, and more. It can be three months of isolation and being left behind.
The 'Make Summer Fair' campaign supports Save the Children's work to fill critical gaps in early learning. Together with our local partners, we’re giving kids in rural America various ways to learn and engage with others over the summer.
How do corporate partners support Save the Children?
Corporate sponsors of the 'Make Summer Fair' campaign provide generous investment and support to ensure that Save the Children is able to provide children in rural America with the resources and educational support they need to thrive in school and in life.
How can you join us to help Make Summer Fair?
Donate - Your gift will help provide things like school supplies, books and more to children in the U.S. and around the world.
Advocate – Send a message to Congress to invest in early childhood education.
Learn more about our work in rural America and around the world.
Spread the word - Find us on social media on Instagram, Facebook and X.
Once Upon a Farm Helps Feed Hungry Tummies
When some kids are out of school, they may be missing out on free meals. Once Upon a Farm – creator of organic snacks and meals trusted by parents and loved by kids – has partnered with Save the Children to help make summer fair, bringing their tasty, nutritious pouches and bars to kids in our programs. Together, we’re able to give more kids access to healthy food.
See the Impact Your Support Can Make — and Join Us!
Recently, we attended the LA Times Festival of Books out in Los Angeles. We asked celebrities, authors and illustrators why they think it’s important for children to have access to books, and their answer was unanimous… books are important to children’s futures!
Not only does reading fuel imagination, but it also helps create confidence, and elevate learning to the next level. As author Salina Yoon says in the video, “Books make people better."
We’re committed to making the lives of children better as we work with children living in poverty and inequality in the U.S. – giving them access to books!
Instead of looking forward to the first day of school, millions across the U.S. worry they won’t be able to keep up with their classmates.
But child care and early learning can change that.
High-quality, accessible opportunities give soon-to-be students the tools they need to succeed, ensuring no child falls behind.
Thanks to Our Partners
Our partners help support Save the Children and Make Summer Fair. Learn more.
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