Program fights summer hunger
Published 9:49 pm Tuesday, June 11, 2013
The city of Suffolk and Suffolk Public Schools are both participating in a U.S. Department of Agriculture program aimed at ensuring no child goes hungry over the summer.
Suffolk Parks and Recreation will provide free meals for participating children at the following sites and times:
- Apple Tree Learning Center No. 2 (601 W. Washington St.), June 24 to Aug. 16. Breakfast: 8 to 9 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- St. Paul CHAMPS (806 Lincoln Ave.), June 24 to Aug. 2. Breakfast: 8 to 9 a.m. Lunch: noon to 1 p.m.
- Apple Learning Tree Center No. 1 (410 N. Broad St.), June 24 to Aug. 16. Breakfast: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Mineral Springs Baptist Church (4849 Mineral Springs Road), July 1 to 31. Breakfast: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m.
- Mack Benn Jr. Recreation Center (1253 Nansemond Parkway), June 24 to Aug. 16. Breakfast: 9 to 10 a.m. Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m.
- Booker T. Washington Recreation Center (204 Walnut St.), June 24 to Aug. 16. Breakfast: 9 to 10 a.m. Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m.
- Whaleyville Community Center (6213 Whaleyville Blvd.) June 24 to Aug. 16. Breakfast: 9 to 10 a.m. Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m.
- Hoops 4 Life (351 Kings Fork Road), June 24 to July 12. Breakfast: 9 to 10 a.m. Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m.
- Discover Summer Program (138 S. Sixth St.), July 15 to Aug. 16. Breakfast: 9 to 10 a.m. Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m.
- Parker-Riddick Village (94 Stacey Drive), June 24 to Aug. 16. Breakfast: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. (closed Wednesdays).
- Colander Bishop Meadows (925 Brook Ave.), June 24 to Aug. 16. Breakfast: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. (closed Wednesdays).
- Hoffler Apartments (2210 E. Washington St.), June 24 to Aug. 16. Breakfast: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. (closed Wednesdays).
Suffolk Public Schools will provide free meals for participating children at these sites and times, Monday through Thursday:
- King’s Fork High School, July 2 to 30. Breakfast: 7:15 to 7.45 a.m.
- King’s Fork Middle School, July 2 to 30. Breakfast: 8 to 8:30 a.m. Snack: 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
- Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School, July 2 to Aug. 15. Breakfast: 9 to 9:30 a.m. Snack: 11 to 11:30 a.m.
- Elephant’s Fork Elementary School, Aug. 5 to 8. Breakfast: 8:30 to 9 a.m. Snack: 11:30 a.m. to noon.
All school district sites will be closed July 4.
The USDA says it aims to serve 166 million meals to eligible kids across the country.
“When school is out during the summer months, many families struggle to feed their children even one nutritious meal a day,” said Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary.
“Government cannot address this challenge alone, which is why … we join our valued partners to raise awareness about the nutrition gap low-income children face when schools close for the summer.
“Working together, we can make sure children have access to nutritious food year-round.”
Meals will be provided to all children without charge. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
Contact 514-7250 for more information.