AURORA |  An Aurora Public Schools official in charge of ensuring students don’t go hungry while schools are out in the summer has been honored nationally for the work he and the district have done to combat hunger among students.

James Lesley, assistant director for support and compliance for Aurora Public Schools’ nutrition department, has been named a 2026 Summer Hunger Hero by No Kid Hungry, an annual recognition honoring people and organizations working to combat childhood hunger during the summer months.

Lesley was one of 10 honorees from nine states recognized this year for efforts to expand children’s access to summer nutrition programs, including Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, and Summer Meals, No Kid Hungry officials said in a statement.

Aurora Public Schools reported an 83% return rate on forms used to determine children’s eligibility for Summer food benefits, according to No Kid Hungry officials. The group also said the district has bilingual staff members who speak English and Spanish and uses a live language line to assist families who speak other languages.

“Summer is well known as the hungriest season of the year for children, as that is when free and reduced-price school meals disappear for the summer break,” No Kid Hungry officials said in a statement. “This means kids miss out on a consistent source of nutrition, and families’ already tight budgets are stretched even further.”

No Kid Hungry Colorado Program Manager Anastasia Tsekeris praised Lesley’s work, saying he “exemplifies the work of No Kid Hungry” and “goes above and beyond” to serve children.

Aurora Public Schools Board President Tramaine Duncan said Lesley’s recognition reflects the district’s commitment to ensuring families receive available food assistance.

“James Lesley being named a No Kid Hungry Summer Hunger Hero is a true reflection of the work of Aurora Public Schools ensuring that members of our community receive the full complement of food and benefits that they need for the summer,” Duncan said in a statement. “James has done his utmost to remove barriers to make sure that no child falls through the cracks, that no child is left out, that no child is left wanting.”

Aurora Public Schools offers free summer meals for children throughout the district.

Individual breakfasts and lunches are available to anyone 18 and younger through Aug. 3. Meals must be eaten on site, according to APS details.

Several locations offer meals during staggered serving times, including Yale, Jewell, Iowa, Laredo and Montview elementary schools; Aurora Hills Middle School; Rocky Ridge Park; Hillcrest Village; Elkhart; and Friendly Village.

Additional sites serving meals daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. include Aurora West, Vista PEAK Prep, Del Mar Pool, Charles Burrell, Central Recreation Center, Utah Pool, Aurora Hills, Hoops Park, Meadow Hills Pool, Hinkley, Mission Viejo Park, Village Green Pool and Mrachek.

Free breakfast and lunch at Mosley has been extended through July 24, Dalton through July 10 and Virginia Court through July 17, according to the district’s website.

In addition, the district is offering free Summer Big Bag Meal Kits from through Aug. 3 for children 18 and younger. Each child may receive one seven-day meal kit, which includes seven breakfasts and seven lunches.

Meal kits are available at Aurora Highlands P-8, 24405 E. 42nd Ave., from 10 a.m to 11:30 a.m. Mondays; Harmony Ridge P-8, 52 S. Robertsdale St., from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays; and Murphy Creek P-8, 1400 S. Old Tom Morris Road, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Fridays.

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