Mayor Greg Ballard, along with U.S. Representative André Carson, and city leaders, announced Wednesday, June 4, 2014 the kickoff of Summer Servings – a program that provides free meals to Indianapolis youth in an effort to alleviate child hunger. Hosted by Indy Parks and Recreation Director John Williams, at Broad Ripple Park, the event included the Indy Eleven staff and children from Indy Parks’ Day Camps. The Indy Eleven soccer activities were followed by a Summer Servings lunch, then remarks from the special guests during the children’s lunch. The American Dairy Association of Indiana provided yogurt included in the lunches.
Any child age 18 and under is able to receive a nutritious meal at no cost all summer long at more than 200 sites around Marion County, with 103 sites through Indy Parks. No Registration or ID is required.
“Many children lack access to nutritious food during the summer months,” Mayor Ballard said. “The large number of Summer Servings sites means Indy is fighting hunger and helping children stay healthy.” Summer Servings is part of the United States Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program.
In 2013-2014, 82 percent of the students enrolled in Indianapolis Public Schools received free or reduced-cost lunches. A recent 2012 Feeding America report revealed that 19.2 percent of Marion County residents are food insecure, as are 21.9 percent of the county’s children.
To find a Summer Servings site near you, call 2-1-1, or visit www.summerservings.org or text “food” to 36729.
