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 D. C. , Maryland and Virginia. Join Brian van de Graaff as he sits down with Capital Area Food Bank’s Director of Family Government Nutrition Programs Alexis Lahr and Harris Teeter District Director 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 supplies healthy, child-friendly food in apartment buildings, public recreation centers, places of worship, and other locations in the area. In 2023, their summer meal sites supplied more than 56,000 food and snacks and they plan to supply thousands more this year.
When schools are closed, children will likely lose an essential source of nutritious food. 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.
Catering sites began operating after June 17. Opening days and hours vary depending on summer dining venues. Check out the interactive map for key points about the location, days, and times when a specific site will provide meals.
The Capital Area Food Bank’s Summer Meal 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 single 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!