Summer Food Service Program provides meals for children

This summer, the Ohio Department of Education is sponsoring the Summer Food Service Program, providing children with free, healthy meals, according to a news release.

It’s easy to participate, and no sign up is required. Residents can call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866348-6479), visit education. ohio.gov/KidsEat or use the department’s mobile app for meal times and locations (coming soon to the app).

The Summer Food Service Program ensures children ages 18 and under continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer break from school, when they do not have access to school breakfasts or lunches, according to the release. Children with disabilities and approved individualized education programs may participate through age 21.

“The need for healthy meals doesn’t stop when school breaks for the summer, and the Summer Food Service Program helps provide children with nourishment to make sure summer can be a time for continued learning and fun,” Paolo DeMaria, superintendent of public instruction, said in the release. “Instead of worrying about where their next meals will come from, our students can enjoy activities like reading, sports, playing outdoors and the growing that happens during the summer months.”

Many Ohio parents and caregivers continue to make difficult choices every day to provide for their families, according to the release. In many cases, this leaves Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens, our children and youths, struggling with hunger daily.

In 2017, more than 4 million meals were served to Ohio children through the Summer Food Service Program with the help of approximately 1,500 feeding sites. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Ohio Department of Education.