Philadelphia kicks off summer meals program
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Many children rely on free breakfast and lunch at school. Now that school's out, those meals aren't available.
A federal program is helping to fill the gap.
Five days a week, Theresa Grone goes to the McPherson Square Library in Kensington so her eight children can eat free breakfast and lunch.
"I have a large family and what I do get from public assistance, it really doesn't last that long, so I really, really am thankful for these lunch programs that they have," Grone said.
She's among the families that benefit from summer meals, a program that offers 300 meal sites in Philadelphia during the summer.
Here's the map from the city's website.
Meal sites include rec centers, YMCAs, churches and other community organizations where children can eat on-site.
"Any young person in Philadelphia between 0 and 18 can go to one of those sites when they're open and there's no registration required or ID needed," Laura Crandall, Office of Children and Families, said.
The children will get a variety of meals. One meal includes a ham and cheese sandwich, salsa, tortilla chips, baby carrots and milk.
"Thanks to some incredible partnership and the dedication to hundreds of committed volunteers, no young person will have to go hungry this summer," Mayor Jim Kenney said.
Mayor Kenney, Eagles legend Jason Avant and Superintendent Tony Watlington were among those celebrating the program at a kickoff event Tuesday at McPherson Square Park.
"We know food insecurity is a major barrier to many families," Watlington said.
Families like Grone's say the program is a huge benefit, especially with the cost of food going up.
"It's tough because we don't, you know, get a lot of food stamp benefits and with a large family it's harder to you know, maintain food at times," Grone said.
Organizers are ready to serve more than a million meals, keeping some of Philadelphia's most vulnerable children nourished.
In Philadelphia, caregivers and children can find their closest free food distribution site here. You can also text "food" or "comida" to 304304.
