Text To Find A Free Summer Meals Site Near You
Families say, on average, their grocery bills are about $300 higher every month when kids are out of school; Free summer meals can help.
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Many families have a hard time making ends meet during summertime because when school lets out kids lose access to healthy school meals.
Federal summer meals programs provide a solution. Free, healthy meals are available to kids and teens age 18 and under at thousands of summer meals sites across the country. In a national survey released by Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign most low-income families (68%) reported being interested in summer meals programs.
However, often kids and parents don't know about free summer meals or where to find them. With the generous support of the Arby's Foundation, the No Kid Hungry campaign has partnered with Why Hunger to develop a national texting, mapping and hotline system to help people find summer meals sites.
Now, finding a free summer meals site is easy. Here's how:
- Use your phone: Text FOOD to 877-877 to find a site near you
- Map it online: Go to NoKidHungry.org/SummerMeals to find a site online
- Call for details: Call 1-866-3HUNGRY to find a site and learn more
Many summer meals sites offer fun learning and recreational activities as well as free food, so kids and teens can stay active and spend time with friends. Sites are registered with USDA and are held at safe local places such as schools, churches and community centers. Meals served are tasty, follow USDA nutrition guidelines, and help families save money. There are no applications to fill out and programs do not require proof of income.
Go to NoKidHungry.org/SummerMeals or call 1-866-3HUNGRY to find a site and learn more or text FOOD to 877-877 to find a site near you.
For more information on the No Kid Hungry campaign and our efforts to make sure kids have access to free summer meals, please contact Kelli Windsor at [email protected] or (202)478-6553.
About Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign
No child should grow up hungry in America, but one in five children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry® campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals through its Cooking Matters program. This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. The No Kid Hungry campaign's work to increase summer meals participation is generously supported by national sponsor the Arby's Foundation and Sodexo Foundation. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.
Contact: Kelli Windsor | [email protected] | (202) 478-6553
SOURCE Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry
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