TAMPA, Fla. (August 24, 2026) – Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is proud to celebrate James Lykins, regional supervisor for Student Nutrition Services, for being named a 2026 Summer Hunger Hero by No Kid Hungry Florida. Lykins was one of only five individuals across Florida selected for the recognition, which honors leaders who have gone above and beyond to ensure children have access to healthy meals during the summer months.

The recognition is part of No Kid Hungry Florida's Hunger Heroes initiative, which celebrates school nutrition professionals, community partners and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure children have access to nutritious meals year-round. No Kid Hungry Florida Summer Hunger Heroes are recognized for their dedication, compassion and commitment to summer meal programs, as well as their ability to identify innovative and flexible approaches that expand access to nutritious meals for children and families in need. 

Through HCPS' Summer Feeding Program, the district works to ensure children have access to healthy meals when school is not in session. During the summer of 2026, over 650,000 free meals were distributed at more than 150 sites across Hillsborough County, helping remove barriers to food access for families.

"James transformed an ambitious idea into a life-changing resource for families across our community. He championed the creation of our first grab-and-go meal site and led every phase of implementation, from site selection and operational planning to staffing coordination and cross-departmental collaboration. His vision and leadership resulted in more than 14,000 meals being distributed each week from a single location,” said Shani Hall, General Manager of Student Nutrition Services for HCPS.  “James consistently goes above and beyond to remove barriers for families and ensure children have access to nutritious meals when they need them most. This recognition is a well-deserved reflection of his extraordinary commitment to students and the community."

Summer can be one of the most challenging times of the year for families who rely on school meals. No Kid Hungry notes that summer nutrition programs help bridge that gap by ensuring children continue to have access to healthy meals when school cafeterias are closed. The organization's Summer Hunger Heroes are recognized for expanding access to those programs and reaching more children in need.

"Every day, James demonstrates what it means to put students first," said Superintendent Van Ayres. "Whether school is in session or students are enjoying summer break, he works to ensure children have access to the nutritious meals they need to learn, grow and succeed. This statewide recognition is a reflection of his dedication to serving students and families and the exceptional work of our Student Nutrition Services team."

To learn more about Student Nutrition at Hillsborough County Public Schools visit symmeselementaryschool.com.