Philadelphia launched its Free Summer Meals Program for children and teens. Here’s what you need to know.
In Philadelphia, the end of the school year ushers in not only the summer season, but also free meals for children across the city. The Free Summer Meals Program, which kicked off at the Heitzman Recreation Center, celebrated its launch with numerous special guests, including the Eagles cheerleaders and mascot Swoop.
As an initiative aiming to combat food insecurity and bridge the gap between the end and start of the school year, this program invites children and their families to partake in resources, activities, music, and of course, nutritious food. The program is designed to supplement the meals children receive during the school year, allowing them to enjoy nutritious meals all summer long.
“No child living in Philadelphia should worry about food or wonder where their next warm meal will come from,” Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said. “The city’s summer meals program helps ease that worry by making nutritious meals available to our young people while school is out of session. I am incredibly proud of the collaboration across community, government, schools, and social services that made this happen, keeping hundreds of meal sites open across the city again this season.”
What to know
Children and teenagers up to 18 years of age are welcome to visit the Heitzman Center and over 500 other sites slated to open by July 1 to access a free, nutritious, and delicious meal. The goal of the program is to ensure that the nutritional needs of the city’s younger population are met, even when school is not in session.
The full list of free meal sites and serving times can be found here. With this tool, you can also find free food sites for the general public, adults, and older adults. There is also information about food assistance and benefits for Philadelphia residents.
Read More About This
Read More Pennsylvania News
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The Keystone staff.
Pennsylvania residents can apply for funds to cut heating costs through LIHEAP
Pennsylvanians can start applying for cash grants to help them pay heating bills this winter. Pennsylvanians who need help with their home heating...
Daylight saving time ends this weekend. This is how to prepare for the potential health effects.
The good news: You will get a glorious extra hour of sleep. The bad: It'll be dark as a pocket by late afternoon for the next few months in the U.S....
How one Philly library fights food insecurity with a community fridge
A partnership between the Lucien E. Blackwell Regional Library and The People’s Fridge resulted in a new community fridge, the first of its kind....
Head to Villanova for the 36th Annual Special Olympics Fall Festival
Villanova University will host the Special Olympics Pennsylvania annual Fall Festival from Nov. 1-3. Here are the details. The world's largest...
What to know about this year’s Social Security cost-of-living adjustment
By ADRIANA MORGA AND CORA LEWIS Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Tens of millions of older Americans will see an increase in benefits this January...