City officials kicked off the 2013 Summer Meals Program, which serves free, healthy meals and snacks to Philadelphia youth, 18 years old and younger, at more than 1,000 locations across the City. The program provides breakfast, lunch and snacks, Monday through Friday until August 30, 2013.
“From summer 2011 to summer 2012, the Summer Meals Program increased participation by 25%, serving more than 3.8 million meals to young people in our great City. Proper nutrition is vital to helping kids grow up healthy and strong. The Summer Meal Program is a great way to ensure kids have free, healthy meals in a fun and safe environment,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “I want to thank all of the partners who work together to make this program a success and make ending childhood hunger a priority.”
The Department of Parks and Recreation works in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, Philadelphia Housing Authority, Archdiocese of Philadelphia Nutritional Development Service and the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger to provide Summer Meals at recreation centers, parks, churches, community centers and other locations, including more than 800 Playstreets, designated blocks that are closed to traffic and offer fun, free programming for young people.
“To ensure that our young people have a fun, safe, summer; it is imperative that they have access to healthy and nutritious meals,” said First Deputy for Recreation and Programs, Susan Slawson. “Our summer meals program provides children who rely on free or reduced lunch during the school year with year-round access to nutritious food.”
The Summer Meals Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is a component of the Fun Safe Philly Summer campaign.
For more information on the Summer Meals Program or available summer programming through the Fun Safe Philly Summer campaign, log on to www.funsafephillysummer.com or call 3-1-1. To find a summer meal location near you, text “MEALPA” to 877877 or call 1-855-252-MEAL.
Fun Safe Philly Summer is an Office of Mayor Michael A. Nutter, city-wide, partnered initiative to provide Philadelphia youth with programming and opportunities to stay active and engaged all summer long. To find, available programming, fun, free activities and a summer meal location near you, log on to www.funsafephillysumer.com or follow FSPS on Twitter @PhillySummer.
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