Summer vacation is great for the kids, but it also poses some problems for many families. Those families who depend on their children getting a meal when they're at school face a new challenge in the summer.
Fortunately there are some options available to many of these families. Here are a few of the options in various parts of the country. Check out the links below to find other locations for summer meals for children.
According to an article on West Virginia Public Broadcasting's website, the WV Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have a history of feeding children breakfast and lunch in schools.
The Boys and Girls Club has 150 groups with summer programs that offer food and activities for children. The State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture partner with the organization's summer program, giving children free meals.
West Virginia's Summer Food Service program has outlets in more than 400 locations. The USDA reimburses a percentage of the cost to the state. In 2012, the USDA reimbursed more than $1.6 million for 600,000 meals that summer.
A new piece of legislation called the Feed to Achieve Act supports and contributes to established nutrition programs for children, with funds from the federal government to augment local contributions. The state will be connecting for the first time with private businesses for local contributions.
To see a list of more than 400 sites across West Virginia, click here.
According to an article on Southern California Public Radio's website, in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) close to 80 percent of students are given meals for free or at a reduced price during the school year. To deal with the summer needs, local and federal organizations are stepping up.
For instance, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank serve 3500 meals a day at 86 locations, at community centers, libraries, summer schools and Salvation Army locations. Some locations have a requirement that children be enrolled in a program for the meal, while others do not.
The City of L.A.'s Department of Recreation and Parks offers free lunches in the summer to all up to age 18. Older students with disabilities are eligible as well. This program will serve about 5,000 meals every day.
According to an article on Standard-Examiner's website, the Oakland Public Library partnered in 2011 with the City of Oakland and Alameda County Food Bank to feed children in the library. In 2012, the OPL amped up the program to 11 branches, providing 7500 meals that summer. In 2013, the progam increases to 19 branches throughout the state.
Summer Lunch at the Library is supported by the California Summer Meal Coalition (CSMS) and the California Library Association (CLA), working in conjunction with the Fresno County Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, San Diego County Public Library and Sacramento Public Library.
It's hoped that in the future Californian libraries in low-income areas will feed children in the summer.
To find locations offering free meals for children in your community this summer, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or for Spanish communication, call 1-877-8-HAMBRE. To learn more online, visit www.whyhunger.org/findfood
Sources:
Needy children receive nutritious meals through federally and state funded summer program. WVPubcast.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=30362
Where South LA kids can get a free lunch when school's out this summer. SCPR.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
http://www.scpr.org/blogs/southla/2013/06/11/13942/where-south-la-kids-c...
Free summer lunch offered to kids at libraries. Standard.net. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
http://www.standard.net/stories/2013/06/11/free-summer-lunch-offered-kid...
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).FNS.USDA.gov. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/summer-food-service-program-sfsp
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Reviewed June 13, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN