On Tuesday, Florida kicked off its annual Summer Food Service Program in Jacksonville. The program provides free meals and snacks for underprivileged children.
The Jacksonville Children’s Commission is inviting children in need to get free lunches while they’re out of school.
Many children are in need of food during the summertime. Jacksonville Children’s Commission Spokeswoman Lavetta McCoy says the commission provides them with nutritious meals.
“Many children participate in school lunch and breakfast programs at the school, but when the summer comes, the children still need good nutrition. So the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, we fill that gap,” said McCoy.
The JCC will be providing food at nearly 200 summer food sites in churches, apartment complexes, libraries, daycares and schools throughout the city.
McCoy says no paperwork is needed to pick up a free meal.
“There’s no application involved,” says McCoy. “All children need to do is show up at a site, where they see a banner out front. As long as it’s during the meal service times, they can stop in to receive a free meal.”
Lenyarta Darity brought her children to the kick-off at Philip Randolph Heritage Park.
Darity said, “It’s an invaluable, you know, program. They can come out, they can get a free lunch. It’s nutritious, and it’s a safe place.”
The program is open to children up to age 18.
Photo credit: "Summer kids eat lunch" by U.S. Department of Agriculture is used under CC BY 2.0.
