Fenty Administration Kicks Off Free Summer Meals Program
June 16, 2009
(Washington, DC) This morning, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty was joined by Kerri Briggs, Acting State Superintendent of Education, Ximena Hartsock, Acting Director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), officials from the United States Department of Agriculture, General Mills and United Way, and children and community members from Fort Davis Recreation Center to kick-off the 6th Annual “Come To The Table” event. This event is a way to raise awareness about hunger in the District and to increase participation in the 2009 DC Free Summer Meals Program. The program runs through August 31, 2009.
Mayor Fenty stated, “It is important that children and youth have healthy meals throughout the summer and all year round.” He added, “A healthy body equals a healthy mind”. The Free Summer Meals Program which is administered by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) will offer more than 250 feeding sites throughout the District, providing free, nutritious meals to youth up to age 18 and some adults with disabilities throughout the summer. Most sites are located at DPR facilities and DPR is the largest sponsor of the DC Free Summer Meals Program. Community and faith based locations also play an important role in supporting the program.
The District’s Free Summer Meals Program ranks first in the nation. Over 18 million children rely on free or reduced priced meals during the school year. In 2008, the Free Summer Meals Program provided meals for nearly two million children at over 320 locations. To help feed more children this year, families need to know where the program is in operation. DC Summer Fun banners and posters which will be displayed throughout the District at DC Free Summer Meals locations.
This year the Free Sumer Meals Program is provided for through $3.8 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, and support from the General Mills Foundation and the United Way of the National Capital Area. Additionally, the District of Columbia has been awarded a one-time appropriation through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) of $215,765 for equipment assistance grants for School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
For more information, dial 311 or visit dcsummerfun.dc.gov.
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(Washington, DC) This morning, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty was joined by Kerri Briggs, Acting State Superintendent of Education, Ximena Hartsock, Acting Director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), officials from the United States Department of Agriculture, General Mills and United Way, and children and community members from Fort Davis Recreation Center to kick-off the 6th Annual “Come To The Table” event. This event is a way to raise awareness about hunger in the District and to increase participation in the 2009 DC Free Summer Meals Program. The program runs through August 31, 2009.
Mayor Fenty stated, “It is important that children and youth have healthy meals throughout the summer and all year round.” He added, “A healthy body equals a healthy mind”. The Free Summer Meals Program which is administered by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) will offer more than 250 feeding sites throughout the District, providing free, nutritious meals to youth up to age 18 and some adults with disabilities throughout the summer. Most sites are located at DPR facilities and DPR is the largest sponsor of the DC Free Summer Meals Program. Community and faith based locations also play an important role in supporting the program.
The District’s Free Summer Meals Program ranks first in the nation. Over 18 million children rely on free or reduced priced meals during the school year. In 2008, the Free Summer Meals Program provided meals for nearly two million children at over 320 locations. To help feed more children this year, families need to know where the program is in operation. DC Summer Fun banners and posters which will be displayed throughout the District at DC Free Summer Meals locations.
This year the Free Sumer Meals Program is provided for through $3.8 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, and support from the General Mills Foundation and the United Way of the National Capital Area. Additionally, the District of Columbia has been awarded a one-time appropriation through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) of $215,765 for equipment assistance grants for School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
For more information, dial 311 or visit dcsummerfun.dc.gov.
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