Haley, 9, left, Melody, 8, and Isaac, 9, hold heads of lettuce they just harvested from the garden they cultivate with their classmates behind their school in West Virginia.

Participants in World Vision's KidREACH after-school program learn to cultivate fruits and vegetables, which helps them improve their diet and even provides modest income for the program through the sale of produce.

About 18 percent of the nearly 17,000 residents in Barbour County, where the kids’ school is located, live below the poverty level, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics. The median household income is $37,327.

All students in the county are eligible for a free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch at school. Those participating in KidREACH, a World Vision after-school, tutoring and mentoring program receive dinner as well. Nearly 88 percent of Mount Vernon students signed up.

 

Photo ©2015 World Vision, Chris Huber