AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer and many kids are now out of school.

While many children look forward to long days of fun, for some, it’s a season of fear and uncertainty.

“Summer is, a lot of times, the scariest time of year for children because their routines are disrupted. They are with different caregivers, there may not be an adult caregiver and sometimes, children are just left alone with the people who are offending on them and who are hurting them,” said Shelly Bohannon, executive director, The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center.

Bohannon says The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center sees an increase in abuse cases during the summer.

“Of children being offended by extended family during reunions, family vacations that they may be traveling with family members or family friends that maybe they’re not typically around,” said Bohannon.

They also see an increase in both physical and sexual assault cases where an older sibling is offending on a younger sibling.

“Those go up inherently because the older siblings are in charge of those younger siblings and it’s just a matter of opportunity,” said Bohannon.

More cases are also seen where children have access to adult sites and are being solicited.

“Parent involvement in checking their phones is still just as important as it was when they were in school,” said Bohannon. ”Because now, they have more time and more free time to be on those devices.”

Keeping communication open with your children is also important and asking them open-ended questions.

Food insecurity is another critical issue during the summer months.

“Hunger does not take the summer off. We may be getting ready for vacations, big plans, a lot going on… but for our kids, they actually dread the summer in a lot of cases because that consistency and meal each and every day and on the weekend becomes very real to them,” said Dyron Howell, executive director, Snack Pak 4 Kids.

Snack Pak 4 Kids is committed to ensuring children do not go hungry during these months.

“We surveyed our kids. 78 percent of our kids right now tell us they need Snack Pak 4 Kids this summer, so they’re telling us ‘Hey, hunger is not going to take the summer off. We need you, please be there for us this summer,’” said Howell.

Starting May 31 through August 9, every Friday, Snack Pak 4 Kids will distribute bags of food at the following locations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Caprock High School at 3001 E 34th
• New Light Ministries at 1001 NE 24th
• Power Church at 1344 SE 10th
• Rogers Elementary at 920 N Mirror
• St. Stephen Church of Amarillo at 4600 S Western
• Wills Elementary at 3500 SW 11th

All you have to do is drive through and a volunteer will ask how many bags are needed, no questions asked.

“What’s neat is every one of these are brands that so many times feel untouchable, but they’re the real brands that our kids desire but don’t always have access to,” said Howell.

Howell also encourages you to look out for your neighbors in need.

“Maybe you just said ‘Hey, I want to pick up one for my kids’ and say ‘Would you want one too?’ When in reality, you might not be picking up for your kids. But if that kid feels like they’re not different, they’re just like everyone else, they may be more willing to accept the help that you’re trying to offer them,” said Howell.

The same goes for child abuse. In the state of Texas, it is law to report suspected child abuse.

If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

For all other cases in Texas, call the Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.

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