Summer Feeding Program to provide meals to children
Several sites across Cape Coral will provide free meals to children during the summer.
The School District of Lee County is again participating in the Summer Food Service Program, a federally-funded state-administered program that provides free meal service to children up to age 18. Currently, 96 sites throughout Lee County will offer at least one breakfast, lunch or snack service.
“The program was established to help provide meals to children who don’t have access to meals over the summer,” Lorina Woods, the program coordinator for the School District of Lee County, said.
“The meals are free to all students,” she added.
Children do not have to be enrolled in the school system to be eligible.
“It’s for all children,” she said. “There are no income or guideline requirements.”
Last summer, Lee County ran the feeding program for a total of 40 days. Woods reported that 70,783 breakfasts and 147,567 lunches were served countywide, along with 64,771 snacks. On average, 1,813 breakfasts and 3,689 lunches were served each day to youth throughout Lee, as well as 1,619 snacks.
“The service is available,” she said. “I don’t think a lot of parents know that.”
Children simply need to show up during the allotted meal service.
“There’s no registration process required,” Woods said.
Officials, however, do recommend contacting a site beforehand to verify the meal times.
“It’s not required, but it’s a good idea,” she said.
Each site can select up to two meal services to provide, including breakfast, lunch and a snack.
“It’s at their discretion which meal services they offer,” Woods said.
The only criteria are:
– The child must arrive during the meal service.
– The child must eat the meal on site.
– Adults are not permitted to eat the child’s meal.
“We do not service adult meals,” she said. “They’re not allowed to eat it.”
Woods explained that the meals are typical to those served during the school year.
“It’s basically the same meal component pattern,” she said.
To locate feeding sites and meal service times, visit online at: www.summerfoodflorida.org.
Those without Internet access can contact the United Way at 211.
Families can also text “FoodFL” to 877-877 for more information.
Additional information can be found online or by calling the district at (239) 461-8449.
Summer Feeding Program to provide meals to children
Several sites across Cape Coral will provide free meals to children during the summer.
The School District of Lee County is again participating in the Summer Food Service Program, a federally-funded state-administered program that provides free meal service to children up to age 18. Currently, 96 sites throughout Lee County will offer at least one breakfast, lunch or snack service.
“The program was established to help provide meals to children who don’t have access to meals over the summer,” Lorina Woods, the program coordinator for the School District of Lee County, said.
“The meals are free to all students,” she added.
Children do not have to be enrolled in the school system to be eligible.
“It’s for all children,” she said. “There are no income or guideline requirements.”
Last summer, Lee County ran the feeding program for a total of 40 days. Woods reported that 70,783 breakfasts and 147,567 lunches were served countywide, along with 64,771 snacks. On average, 1,813 breakfasts and 3,689 lunches were served each day to youth throughout Lee, as well as 1,619 snacks.
“The service is available,” she said. “I don’t think a lot of parents know that.”
Children simply need to show up during the allotted meal service.
“There’s no registration process required,” Woods said.
Officials, however, do recommend contacting a site beforehand to verify the meal times.
“It’s not required, but it’s a good idea,” she said.
Each site can select up to two meal services to provide, including breakfast, lunch and a snack.
“It’s at their discretion which meal services they offer,” Woods said.
The only criteria are:
– The child must arrive during the meal service.
– The child must eat the meal on site.
– Adults are not permitted to eat the child’s meal.
“We do not service adult meals,” she said. “They’re not allowed to eat it.”
Woods explained that the meals are typical to those served during the school year.
“It’s basically the same meal component pattern,” she said.
To locate feeding sites and meal service times, visit online at: www.summerfoodflorida.org.
Those without Internet access can contact the United Way at 211.
Families can also text “FoodFL” to 877-877 for more information.
Additional information can be found online or by calling the district at (239) 461-8449.
Business
Suffolk, Tobler Construction to host construction-industry hiring event Feb. 11
Local author continues tour for award-winning Southwest Florida thriller, ‘The Vulnerable’
