Atlanta, Georgia – As summer begins, the City of Atlanta has brought back its Summer Food Program. This program helps kids and families in neighborhoods where food insecurity is still a big problem after school is out for the summer. The Department of Parks and Recreation and Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning’s Bright from the Start program are working together to make sure that kids in low-income communities continue to get healthy meals all summer long.
The Summer Food Program will give free lunches to kids and teens in Atlanta who are 18 years old or younger from June 9 to July 25. There will be meals available in numerous community locations around the city, such as eight outdoor pools, four branches of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, and one splashpad. This year, the agency continues to operate its Mobile Feeding Program on Wheels, which brings meals directly to communities to reach even more people who may not have a way to get there.
If you sign up for Camp Best Friends, the city’s popular summer camp, you automatically get breakfast and lunch throughout the camp’s sessions. City administrators know that for a lot of youngsters, these meals can be the most food they get all day.
“Several families depend on APS for nutritious meals—sometimes the only one a young person will get that day. This program is critical so that the City can stand in the gap during Summer Break. Thank you to DPR, the State and everyone who makes this possible,” said Mayor Andre Dickens.
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The project has an enormous impact. The people in charge intend to serve an average of 3,000 meals per day, which adds up to more than 150,000 meals over the summer. The initiative is paid for by the federal government and is aimed at parts of Atlanta where it is hard to find healthful meals.
“Food insecurity and income inequality is a real concern in Atlanta, we’re committed to stepping up for the community,” said DPR Commissioner Justin Cutler. “Our partnership with Bright from the Start continues to be a lifeline for families in Atlanta and this summer, we’re keeping our promise to serve nutritious meals to make sure our kids have the nourishment they need to grow, play, and thrive while school is out of session.”
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To find the nearest meal site, parents or caregivers should call 404.546.3122 or go to the Department of Parks and Recreation website. Families can also contact the Food Service Coordinator, Jamal Mitchell, via email or phone for more information or help.
Every year, the City of Atlanta’s Summer Food Program makes sure that no child needs to go hungry just because school is out.
