Nutritional Development Services (NDS), a ministry of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, will join the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Children and Families, the American Dairy Association North East, and the City of Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate the commencement of the 2025 Summer Meals Program in Philadelphia. These agencies will be joined by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Vare Recreation Center
2601 Moore Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145
David Stier, Assistant Director for Community Relations for NDS, will join other agency representatives and offer brief remarks.
The outdoor event will include a resource fair, music, and activities. In addition, youth in attendance will receive a meal at 12:00 p.m.
NDS provides nutritious meals to children in need throughout the summer months through the Summer Meals Program. 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.
Summer meals are funded through the USDA’s Summer Food Services Program.
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.
In 2024, NDS’ Summer Meals Program served 279 sites throughout the Greater Philadelphia area and provided approximately 333,000 meals to children. This year, there will be over 500 free summer meal sites across Philadelphia provided by sponsors including NDS, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and other local Summer Meals Sponsors.
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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 more information about NDS, please visit http://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/.
CCharitiesPhila
CCharitiesPhila
CCharitiesPhila
Contact:
Katie Rogers
Media and Events Specialist for Catholic Charities of Philadelphia
215-587-3747 (office)