The end of the school year is nearing. For many, that means summer fun is just around the corner. For other children and their families, however, that could very well mean that fears over where meals will come from will soon begin again.
According to a Texas Public Radio report, around 1.7 million kids in Texas are food insecure. North Texas, specifically, is home to an alarming percentage of those children.
“In the heart of North Texas, where the number of people facing hunger is greater than the populations of cities like Seattle or San Francisco, the statistic that strikes hardest is nearly 40% of those in need are children, and that is just unacceptable,” said Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the Plano-based North Texas Food Bank in a press release quoted in the Texas Public Radio report.
Although Texas is not one of the states that offers statewide free school lunches, some districts in North Texas do during the school year and the summer vacation months.
Dallas ISD
According to a district spokesperson, the DISD’s Food and Child Nutrition Services department will provide a summer meal service for all children 18 and under. The details on where to pick up the meals will be announced later in May. Garland ISD
Garland ISD has confirmed to the Observer that its Student Nutrition Services will offer summer meals at open Garland ISD summer school campuses, as well as at select apartment complexes located in the district. On June 2, the district passed along the following information:From June 2-26 and July 7-18, students can receive breakfast and lunch at no cost at select locations. Please note there will be no service from June 30 to July 4, and only two of the additional sites will provide meal service on June 19.
Registration is not required for summer meals, but students must be accompanied by an adult or an older sibling to receive meals.
Plano ISD
Plano ISD families can access free summer meals at Weatherford Elementary School and Memorial Elementary School. Breakfast will be available from 7:20 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. and lunch can be received from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m, except on June 19.
Statewide Summer Meal Program
This summer, dozens of locations throughout Dallas County will offer free summer meals through the federal Summer Food Service Program, paid for by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. According to the program’s website, meals are provided “at no cost to children and teens 18 years old and younger in low-income areas,” as well as “enrolled Texas students up to the age of 21 with disabilities.” Participating families do not have to apply, register or provide identification.
The program’s website has a map where parents can find the nearest location offering free meals. The map also shows the times food is available for pickup and which meals can be found at each location. Breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and “supper” are available at no cost to families through this program.
A quick search of the summer meal program map shows a number of city libraries, rec centers and nonprofit locations will be handing out the free meals this summer. That’s in line with what the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) says are the benefits of such programs.
“Most summer meal sites provide educational, enrichment or recreational activities that keep children learning, active and safe when school is not in session,” the FRAC says. “These programs contribute to children’s healthy growth and development by providing them with nutritious meals and snacks over the summer months, a time when children can be more at risk for hunger and weight gain.”
