Project Bread Grants Nearly $20,000 to the South Shore and Cape for Summer Food Programs

Project Bread Grants Nearly $20,000 to the South Shore and Cape

 for Summer Food Programs

More than $160,000 will enrich summer meals programs across Massachusetts 

(July 2, 2013 – Boston) For children in families that struggle to put food on the table, finding a meal during the summer can be a challenge. That’s why Project Bread is awarding more than $160,000 to 425 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) locations in 37 communities, including eight programs in the South Shore and Cape Cod area.

This summer, more than 50,000 students will enjoy a healthy breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner at one of nearly 900 summer meal sites in schools, parks, public pools, neighborhood centers, and other program locations across the state. The eight awards to the South Shore total $19,962 to programs in West Barnstable, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Truro, Middleborough, and Weymouth.

From September to June, school meals—breakfast and lunch—provide children with a consistent and reliable protection against hunger. In the summer months, these children need another source of food in order to remain healthy and return to school in the fall ready to learn. Nearly all meals are free to children and youth 18 years and under, no registration or sign-up necessary.

Project Bread works with community partners and state policy makers to boost, strengthen, and expand the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a federally supported child nutrition program, which was specifically designed to bridge the summer gap in school meals.

According to Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread, “The best summer meals programs lead with great activities that attract children. Children want to attend summer meals programs that are fun and offer them dignity. If a meals program has the feel of a charity handout, it’s not building the healthy self-esteem that children need to thrive and succeed.”

In addition to fun physical and educational activities, programs in the Cape Cod area provide valuable nutrition education and healthy meals. At the Truro Community Center, students can plant, harvest, and eat their own foods in the Children’s Community Garden while learning about making healthy choices and sustainability. Other programs combine sports such as Ultimate Frisbee with arts and crafts projects to draw in students.

Ruth W. Campbell, director of Church of the Holy Spirit’s Free Food for Kids, explains how the grant money will help their summer food program, “The grant from Project Bread has helped us launch a new sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program for Cape Cod. At our open meals sites, children will receive free childrens books as well as healthy lunches and snacks throughout the summer months. Sites are located in communities where one in three children is experiencing food insecurity. Next year, we hope the program will spread to more Cape Cod towns, including Provincetown, Brewster, and Harwich.”

Most sites open by July 1 and all generally run until mid August. Parents, guardians, and teens can get exact dates and a complete list of programs in the Cape Cod area by calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 or by going to www.projectbread.org/summermeals. Through Project Bread’s Text 4 Food campaign, students can also be directed to a free meal at the nearest open Summer Food Service Program by texting 617‐863‐6325.

 About Project Bread

Project Bread is the only statewide antihunger organization committed to providing people of all ages, cultures, and walks of life with sustainable, reliable access to nutritious food. From community-based meal programs, to early childhood and school nutrition initiatives, to improved access to farm-to-table resources, Project Bread approaches hunger as a complex problem with multiple solutions. With funds raised through The Walk for Hunger, the oldest continual pledge walk in the country, and other sources, Project Bread pioneers innovative initiatives and supports effective programs to eradicate hunger in our state. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org, www.facebook.com/projectbread, or www.twitter.com/walkforhunger.