Posted by Staff
newsweb@everythinglubbock.com

LUBBOCK, TX (NEWS RELEASE) — The Texas Hunger Initiative – The South Plains Food Bank, YWCA and Lubbock & Frenship ISDs are collaborating with a diverse group of partners to host a series of kickoffs for the Free Summer Meals program for kids and teens in the area. These events will help connect more area kids and teens to health and nutrition resources by raising awareness about the free Summer Meals program, as well as other community health programs.

“As we begin the summer months, it is important that we remember our students and do what we can to make sure that they receive as many hot and nutritious meals as possible during this time,” said Brian Achilles, General Manager of Aramark for Lubbock ISD. “Lubbock ISD is only a part of the solution, but working with our other partners we can work toward eliminating food insecurity in our community.” 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers free summer meals to all kids and teens ages 18 and younger at more than 30 sites – including schools, churches, recreation centers, parks, and more – across Lubbock all summer long. Unfortunately, however, only a small percentage of children who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch during the school year participated in the free Summer Meals program last year. The Summer Meals Kickoff seeks to offer heightened promotion of and information about the Summer Meals program in order to increase participation, as well as to highlight the strong local leadership of community partners. This year, the Lubbock office of the Texas Hunger Initiative is partnering with Hope Community of Shalom for an event in Carlisle Park on Tuesday June 9th, with activities and food for adults and kids; as well as with Lubbock ISD for an event at Harwell Elementary, where the kids have been hard at work on a community garden. There will be activities, food, and a bounce house. Additionally, the East Lubbock Promise Neighborhood Book Bus is scheduled to be on site this day. This event is on Thursday June 11th.

Summertime should be a stress-free time for parents and kids, full of food, friends and fun. Free Summer Meals can help. Families can visit www.summerfood.org, call 211, or text FOODTX to 877-877 to find the nearest meal site.

Who: Texas Hunger Initiative and Partners
               
What: Summer Meals Kickoff 2015 

Where: Carlisle Park (28th and Ave X) and  Harwell Elementary (4104 Ave D)
               
When: 6/9/2015 12:00 PM and 6/11/2015 11:00 AM  
               
Other: Many Summer Meals sites, which are registered with the USDA, offer fun learning and recreational activities so kids and teens can eat a healthy meal while staying active and hanging out with friends. Program details: 

  • Meals are FREE to children and teens ages 18 and younger who come to a Summer Meals site 
  • Food served follows USDA nutrition guidelines and is paid for by the USDA
  • Summer Meals sites are at schools, churches, community centers and other places that are safe for kids and teens to go to
  • Many sites offer educational and recreational activities that kids of all ages can participate in so they can eat, hang out with friends and take part in activities offered
  • Parents don’t need to apply to the program to get a free summer meal for their kids. They can just bring their child to a Summer Meals site in their community.

About Texas Hunger Initiative
The Texas Hunger Initiative (THI) is a capacity-building and collaborative project, housed in the Baylor University School of Social Work that seeks to develop and implement strategies to end hunger through policy, education, community organizing and community development. THI seeks to make the state food secure by ensuring that every individual has access to three healthy meals a day, seven days a week. THI convenes federal, state and local government stakeholders with non-profits, faith communities and business leaders to create an efficient system of accountability that increases food security in Texas. Headquartered at Baylor University, THI has 12 regional offices located in Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, McAllen, San Angelo, San Antonio, Tyler, and Waco. At THI, Summer Meals program evaluation and outreach is funded by the Walmart Foundation.

About the South Plains Food Bank
The South Plains Food Bank seeks to achieve its goal of seeing a hunger-free community through this partnership. There is an increased need at the Food Bank during the summer months, and the free summer meals program for children and teens helps to alleviate that need. The South Plains Food Bank hopes to see a rise in attendance at the sites this year; not in the amount of people in need, but in the amount of people being helped.

About the YWCA
The YWCA offers summer day camps for children ages 4-12. All camps operate from 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and feature both indoor and outdoor activities, games, swimming, arts and crafts, language experiences, and other special programs to enrich children’s out-of-school experiences. A healthy breakfast, lunch and snack are served daily as part of the Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. The YWCA summer camp program plays a critical role in assuring that young people have a safe place to spend the day while parents are at work. By staying actively engaged through the summer, children return to school in the fall ready to learn.

About Lubbock ISD
Aramark and Lubbock ISD are dedicated to providing students breakfast and lunch meals during the summer months. We know how important having access to nutritious meals is during the school year, and we strive to continue that effort throughout the summer. Several locations will be offering summer meals across the community and 7 locations will be open June 2 through August 7 for both Breakfast and Lunch. Our summer feeding sites are open to anyone 18 years and younger. Aramark has been a proud partner with Lubbock ISD since 1987, and will continue to help support the district and community by providing healthy meals, snacks and wellness teachings, during the school year and beyond.

(News release from the Texas Hunger Initiative and Partners)