Summer Nutrition Program!

City of Chicago
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Mary Ellen Caron, Ph.D., Commissioner

Media Contact: Anne Sheahan 312-743-2031
anne.sheahan@cityofchicago.org

Cristina Vera 312-743-0777
cristina.vera@cityofchicago.org

2009 Summer Nutrition Program to Provide 1 Million
Free Meals to Chicago’s Children and Youth this Summer

(June 15, 2009) Beginning today through September 4, Chicago residents 18 years of age or younger can access free nutritional meals at more than 200 locations around the city through the Summer Nutrition Program. The annual program serves to supplement the school meal service which provides economically disadvantaged youth with free or price-reduced meals during the school year.

“The economic downturn has placed a financial strain on Chicago’s families making it difficult for many to fulfill the basic needs of their children,” said Commissioner Mary Ellen Caron, Ph.D., Chicago Department of Family and Support Service. “Assistive programs like the Summer Nutrition Program offer families support and provide a resource to ensure Chicago’s children do not go hungry this summer.”

The Summer Nutrition Program provides nutritious breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks for youth, though meal options vary by site. All meals meet USDA nutrition guidelines and are accessible through a network of Summer Nutrition Program sites, including CHA development sites, day camps, parks, community and faith-based organizations.

Residents interested in learning about locations and times of participating Summer Nutrition Program, may call 311 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/fss.

Organizations interested in becoming a Summer Nutrition Program site may apply through the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services’ Web site at www.cityofchicago.org/fss or in person at the department’s King Community Service Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove.

The Summer Nutrition Program is presented by the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, Food Service Professionals and the Illinois Hunger Coalition.

Chicago Department of Family and Support Services is dedicated to supporting a continuum of coordinated services to enhance the lives of Chicago residents, particularly those most in need, from birth through the senior years. The department works to promote the independence and well-being of individuals, support families and strengthen neighborhoods by providing direct assistance and administering resources to a network of community-based organizations, social service providers and institutions. For more information about the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, call 312-743-0300 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/fss.