Millions of children depend on free or reduced-price school lunches and breakfasts for 9 months out of the year. For many of these children, summer vacation does not mean ‘fun in the sun’ but rather increased risk of hunger and developmental decline. Children who miss meals are more likely to be sick, absent or tardy from school, disruptive in class, and inattentive. They also score lower on achievement tests. Good nutrition is essential for learning in school.
But learning does not end when school lets out. Neither does the need for good nutrition—which is crucial for children to have safe and productive summers. The Summer Food Service Program, or SFSP, provides children with nutritious meals and encourages physical and social development.
Yet many children are unable to participate in Summer Feeding Programs because there are not enough sites to serve all the children who need to eat. Due the lack of summer food sites in some communities, the Food Bank first made the commitment to Sponsor the Summer Food Service program in 2008, and is expanding this summer. We and our partner agencies will provide children in low-income areas with nutritious meals this summer when they would otherwise go without.
Each weekday beginning in July, we will deliver nutritious breakfasts and lunches to the following sites:
Albany County
Sheridan Park (in partnership with Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless)
Fulton County
Gloversville Boys and Girls Club
Gloversville Central Council PTA Enrichment Program
Lexington Learning Center
Montgomery County
Amsterdam YMCA
Catholic Charities of Montgomery County
Veteran’s Park (in partnership with Hispanic Outeach)
We appreciate the opportunity to partner with these agencies to ensure disadvantaged kids get the food they need to stay well, enjoy the summer, and return to school ready to learn. To learn more about the Food Bank’s role in the Summer Food Service Program, contact Sue Lintner at 518-786-3691, x224 or SusanL@regionalfoodbank.net. (SFSP is an equal opportunity provider and employer.)
