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The program will enable
area children to participate in a meals program as well as
organized neighborhood day camps, hands-on science and
learning activities, art and theater along with field trips
to local attractions.
“I wish I could spend 24
hours a day on the issue of food power,” said U.S.
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur as she led off a press conference
featuring a number of local elected officials and a
beneficiary of the meals program.
Kaptur noted that in Lucas
County, 54,000 children qualify for the program due to their
families’ income levels.
“I’m not happy to be here,
but I know we need to be here,” said Randy Gardner, State
Senator from Bowling Green who noted that, as a conservative
Republican, he felt that the cause of feeding children in
need is a bi-partisan issue.
“I’m happy to be able to
not worry as much about food and can spend my money on
clothing and other [essentials]” said Joyce Walker whose
family has benefited from such programs.
In addition to Kaptur and
Gardener, other elected officials present to applaud the
opening of the summer meals program were Toledo Mayor Paula
Hicks-Hudson, Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak
and Toledo City Councilman Larry Sykes.
“Our children were not
learning in school because they are hungry,” said Sykes. “We
have to do a better job with our children. Respected and
never neglected.”
This summer, meals will be
served at more than 80 sites including area churches,
schools, libraries, parks and community centers. Any child
at or under 18 years of age may come into such a site and
receive a nutritious meal. The funding for the program comes
primarily from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“While many students
receive no cost or reduced price meals during the school
year, studies show that less than 15 percent of them
participated n free summer feeding programs in years past.
That’s troubling news, since roughly one in four local
families are challenged by food insecurity,” said Tony
Siebeneck, president of Feed Lucas County Children. “There
are 54,135 children in Lucas County eligible for free and
reduced price school meals. Of these children, 26,850 are
estimated to be living in food insecure households, where
consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of
money and other resources.”
Summer activity and
feeding programs run from early June through mid-August. The
amount of programming varies at each location, so parents
are encouraged to visit their local site for more details.
Interested parents and
guardians are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to fine a summer meal
site near them. For more information about the national
Summer Food Service Program, visit
www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer. |
