Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Joins with Several Agencies to Kick Off Summer Meals Program
Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (NDS) will join the Mayor’s Office of Education, the School District of Philadelphia, Fun Safe Philly Summer, the Coalition Against Hunger, American Dairy Association, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation to celebrate the commencement of the 2018 Summer Meals Program in Philadelphia.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Reyburn Park (Cecil B Moore Rec Center)
2551 North 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19132
NDS seeks to provide nutritional meals to children in need throughout the summer months. This year, NDS will once again sponsor the federally funded Summer Meals Program to ensure that children have access to wholesome, nourishing meals.
The Summer Meals Program is federally funded and operated nationally by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In our area, it is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This year the NDS Summer Meals Program runs from June 18 through August 24.
Thus far, approximately 400-500 summer meals sites located throughout the five-county metropolitan area have partnered with NDS to provide children aged 18 years or younger, a box lunch and choice of breakfast or snack. Meals are available at no cost and include whole grains, low-fat milk, protein-rich foods, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. All meals follow federal guidelines for nutrition, and lunches provide 1/3 of children’s daily nutritional requirements.
Ms. Brooke Mullen, Assistant Director of Community Relations for NDS, said “The reality is that hunger does not take a break in the summer, so spreading the word that nutritious meals are available at no cost to students 18 years and younger is essential. The kickoff is a fun, interactive event for students to get excited about the summertime, while encouraging children throughout the city and surrounding counties to look for sites in their area and spread the word that delicious meals are available.”
Last year, NDS’ Summer Meals Program served approximately 400 sites throughout the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. It provided over 750,000 meals including breakfasts, snacks, lunches, and suppers to children who otherwise would have struggled to obtain nutritious food sources.
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Editor’s Note: To sign up for the Summer Meals Program or for more information on Nutritional Development Services, please call Ms. Brooke Mullen at 267-262-8901 or the NDS Summer Meals Hotline at 215-895-3470 option 1. For more information about NDS, please visit http://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/.