PHILADELPHIA - The need is huge, and so is the program in place to fill it. At sites across the state, Pennsylvania's Summer Meals program is starting, helping to make sure children who get meals during the school year don't go hungry in summer. Julie Zaebst, interim executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, explained how it works.
"Kids under the age of 18 can go and receive a free meal or a free snack, and they don't need to provide I.D., they don't need to provide verification in low-income areas around the state."The summer meals program is especially vital in light of massive financial challenges being faced by school districts in the state, Zaebst added.
"As the school district is struggling to work within its budget, there are fewer and fewer summer programs for kids," she explained, "so those kids then have to turn to these free summer meals programs at churches, at recreation centers, at summer camps, in their neighborhoods.
Special attention is being paid to make sure the families of children who need summer meals know where to turn, Zaebst said.
"We have a lot of sites, but when they're operating, and what they serve, and how you get connected isn't always clear to families. We're trying to fill that information gap and make sure kids are getting the nutrition they need this summer," she said.
For every 100 children in Pennsylvania who receive free or reduced-price meals at school, only about 20 get the same benefit during the summer months. A new report from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) said roughly 560,000 Pennsylvania children get free or reduced-price meals at school, but fewer than 114,000 receive the free summer meals.
Families who want to find out about services in their area can call 855-252-MEAL or text "MealPA" to 877877.
The full FRAC report is available at http://frac.org.
Tom Joseph
Fantastic program
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