Like many youth her age, Miraclejoy is working this summer. Her job is to serve food. But she’s not waitressing or working the food counter at a movie theater. Miraclejoy is serving healthy meals to thousands of low income children and teens in King County as part of Summer Food Invasion, designed to combat hunger when school is not session. Her position as AmeriCorps Summer VISTA is a role she feels was tailor-made for her.

“Growing up, I counted on summer meals to help feed my sisters and brothers,” Miraclejoy said. She understands that some families may not feel comfortable accessing the free food, so this is the second year in a row she’s served summer meals program, ensuring others benefit the way she did as a child.

“A lot of them don’t feel humble enough or a lot of them feel like they don’t need the resource. We’re not here to throw a pity party. We’re here to help and feed your kids.”

Summer Food Invasion takes place in parks, community centers, and libraries across King County for 10 weeks this summer. Children 18 and under can select nutritious breakfast and lunch options five days a week so parents don’t have to worry about the extra food expense during the summer months.

“Every time a parent comes up, they’re just so thankful and so happy and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you’re doing this, I’m so happy. I didn’t know how I was going to feed my kids at night. I didn’t know where we were going to eat and you guys are here.'”

Summer Food Invasion wants to serve 750,000 meals to struggling families this summer and Miraclejoy says she’s ready. “To give back and be on the other side, you know, feed the other kids, it’s like, ‘Oh, ok, I see it doing good.’ Just the flip side feels good.”