Nutritional Development Services to Hold Annual Blessing of the Summer Meals Program

The Summer Meals Program runs from June 14 through August 25.

Nutritional Development Services (NDS), an agency of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will hold its annual “Blessing of the Summer” at Saint Malachy’s Out-of-School Time Program (OST) in North Philadelphia to highlight its Summer Meals Program.

Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan, President of NDS’ Board, will preside over the blessing. Children who participate in the summer OST at Saint Malachy’s and benefit from the summer meals program will be in attendance.

Thursday, June 29, 2023
11:30 a.m. (Blessing in Cafeteria)
12:00 p.m. (Lunch Service Begins)
Saint Malachy’s Out-of-School Time Program
1429 North 11th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

This vital initiative ensures that children and youth aged 18 or younger throughout the Greater Philadelphia area have access to wholesome meals at no cost when school is out of session.

All meals are delivered daily “ready-to-eat” and no preparation is required.  Summer Meals sites provide lunch and breakfast.  Meals include whole grains, low-fat milk, protein-rich foods, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. In addition, all meals follow federal guidelines for nutrition, and lunches provide children with 1/3 of their daily nutritional requirements.

This year, NDS’ theme is “A Summer of Kindness” to go along with its “Operation Kindness” program. This program provides partnering summer meal sites with activities to encourage children and youth to think and act with kindness.

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Editor’s Note: To sign up for the Summer Meals Program, please call the Summer Meals Hotline at 215-895-3470 option 1. For more information about the Summer Meals Program, please visit https://www.healthymealsforchildren.org/summer-meal-program/summer-meals-program-faq/

For over 50 years, NDS’ mission has been to serve children and those in need with healthy food and food-related resources. NDS accomplishes its mission in two distinct ways: by administering the federally-funded child nutrition programs and through the privately supported Community Food Program. For more information about NDS, please visit http://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/.  NDS is an equal opportunity service provider.