USDA announces summer food program

From staff reports

The state Department of Education recently announced sites where children can get free nutritious meals through the 2019 Summer Food Service Program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds the program, which PDE administers.

Last year, Pennsylvania children received more than 4.5 million meals from approximately 2,600 food program sites, with $13.5 million in USDA support.

“Food insecurity impacts students year-round, not just when they are in school,” said Pennsylvania Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera. “The Summer Food Service Program helps communities bridge the gap between school years to ensure students have continued access to nutritious meals over the summer, in turn helping prevent the summer slide, and preparing them to return to school healthy.”

Many students who receive free or reduced cost meals during the school year through the school breakfast and national school lunch programs lack access to healthy and nutritious food during the summer months and are at risk of hunger.

Limited access to nutritious food during the summer can have an impact on learning all year long and can make students more susceptible to illness and other health issues.

Local food distribution sites include:

Penn Court Apartments: Sponsor — Keystone SMILES Learning Center. Distribution center address 144 Penn Avenue, Clarion. Times 11:45 a.m. through 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Lunch only.

Drake’s Crossing: Sponsor — Keystone SMILES Learning Center. Distribution center address 429 Grand Ave. Extension, Clarion. Times 12:30 p.m. through 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Lunch only.

Hillside Apartments: Sponsor Keystone SMILES Learning Center. Distribution center address 1500 Robinwood Drive, Clarion. Times 11 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Lunch only.

Keystone SMILES Learning Center: Distribution center address 518 Main Street, Knox. Times 8:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Breakfast limited to 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Rimersburg Elementary School: Sponsoring organization: Union School District. Distribution center address 88 School Street, Rimersburg. Times breakfast 8:30 a.m. through 9 a.m.; lunch 11;30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Summer Food Service Program, which began in 1976, is a federally-funded child nutrition program designed to reach those who are age 18 or younger in economically disadvantaged areas.

People over 18 who are mentally or physically handicapped and participate in public or nonprofit private programs established for the disabled are also able to receive free meals at the Summer Food Service Program sites.