WASHINGTON (7News) – As the school year draws to a close, the Capital Region Food Bank is launching its Summer Meals Program this month to supply loose food to youth in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Join Brian van de Graaff as he meets with Capital Area Food Bank’s Director of Family Government Nutrition Programs, Alexis Lahr, and Harris Teeter District Manager LeAnn Sek to communicate about this network outreach initiative with Good Morning Washington.
Operating the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the Food Bank’s Summer Meals Program provides healthy, child-friendly food in apartment buildings, public recreation centers, places of worship, and other venues in the region. By 2023, their summer meal sites will have supplied more than 56,000 meals and snacks, and they plan to supply thousands more this year.
When schools are closed, young people will likely lose an important source of nutritious meals. Assistance from Capital Area Food Bank’s summer meal sites fills this gap, ensuring that young people can get the food they want to keep learning, gambling, and growing.
To help families find those summer meal sites in their neighborhood, the food bank offers two interactive online pages: KidsMealsDMV. org and ComidasParaNinos. org. Each of the pages includes an interactive map that shows when and where toddlers can get loose food this summer. On those maps, the food bank has created the only comprehensive collection available of free meal sites for all DMV children.
The catering sites began operating after June 17. Opening days and times vary for summer dining venues. Please see the interactive map for key points on the location, days and times a specific site will provide meals.
The Capital Area Food Bank’s Summer Food Drive is sponsored through Harris Teeter. Meals are provided at no cost to eligible youth 18 years of age or younger, and must be taken without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. A child in foster care and youth who are members of families receiving SNAP or TCA benefits are automatically eligible for loose meal benefits at eligible program sites. Visit www. mdsummermeals. org, www. kidsmealsdmv. org or call 202-644-9864 for more information.
Join the Capital Area Food Bank on Monday, July 8, from 5 to 7 p. m. at Audubon Estates as they begin their fight against summer hunger. Enjoy food for the whole family, face painting, music, and more!