Editor,
Summer can be the hungriest time of year for kids right here in Maine! When schools close, students lose access to meal programs they depend on like school breakfast and lunch, and this can have a huge impact on families’ food budgets.
Luckily, the national summer meals program provides kids with the critical nutrition they need when school is out of session. The program offers free, healthy meals to anyone aged 18 and under at community sites families know and trust like schools, libraries, churches, and summer camps. There’s no hassle or paperwork required for kids to eat all they have to do is show up. These meals not only help families make ends meet during the summer, but access to consistent nutrition can have a long-term impact on a child’s health and ability to learn.
The thing is, only a fraction of kids who need these meals are getting them because families don’t know about the program or how to find a site.
But there’s a simple action you can take right now to change this–share this information about summer meals on social media: Kids and teens can get free healthy meals all summer long at sites throughout the community. Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 to find a #SummerMeals site near you.
By spreading the word you can help make sure summer is fun for all kids in our community, and that they return to school in the fall ready to learn.
Allison Hill
Cape Neddick
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
