Summer meal program provides food to kids in need

Free and reduced lunch programs serve thousands of children in the Raleigh area during the school year. During the summer months, it can be a challenge for families as cafeterias close for the summer break.

“Last year, we distributed about 53.6 million pounds of food,” said Jennifer Caslin of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. “This year in just a couple of weeks our fiscal year will end and we're going to exceed that. And of course, summer meal programs like this one help a lot, too.”

The Kids Summer Meal Program—also known as the Summer Food Service Program—provides a location for children to receive free meals and enrichment activities, such as exercise and reading.

“The Kids Summer Meals Program provides a vital resource to thousands of kids each summer who may not have enough food to eat at home,” said Tyler Weidig, Summer Food Services Program supervisor for the food bank. “Without this program, children would be hungry and families would be forced to make tough budget decisions.”

This year they're trying an additional approach to help families who may not be able to attend the programs—vouchers for food boxes.

“We're able to help out more this year than we have in the past,” Caslin said.