For Children Partners Inc. was founded in 2022 by E.K. Simmons after hearing a story that would change everything. A teacher shared that she was using her own personal funds to buy food for students who had no way to afford a school meal.
Children were being denied breakfast or lunch due to circumstances beyond their control—forgotten lunches, empty meal accounts, or financial hardship. The idea that a child could be hungry at school simply because they lacked the means to pay was heartbreaking.
That moment sparked action.
For Children Partners was created to ensure that no child would be denied access to meals during the school day—ever.
Children need proper nourishment to grow, learn, and thrive. Research shows that food insecurity negatively impacts a child’s cognitive development, energy levels, and ability to focus in school.
Studies on nutrition and academic performance indicate that deficiencies in key nutrients such as iron, iodine, zinc, and folate can impair learning and brain development. Skipping meals—especially breakfast—has been shown to reduce attention, memory, and overall academic performance, particularly in younger children.
For some children, school meals may be their only reliable source of food each day.
