Summer program helps bridge hunger gap through free meals

This past summer, North Carolina had 2,208 summer nutrition sites where children could receive nutritious meals at no cost through the Summer Food Service Program. However, School Nutrition Services Chief Lynn Harvey reported that only 10 out of every 100 economically disadvantaged students in North Carolina received meals during the summer in 2015 and that the need for sponsoring agencies and sites is at an all-time high.

In addition to public school districts, the program allows qualifying public and private nonprofits to be a sponsor and receive federal reimbursement. The meals must be served to eligible children 18 years of age or younger, at an approved site, at no charge to them. Meals may be prepared on site if the kitchen is adequately equipped, or sponsors may contract with a vendor to buy prepared meals.