Bridging the meal gap, Food Gatherers’ Summer Food Service Program for kids

Food Gatherers Announces 2024 Summer Food Service Program

Ann Arbor, MI (June 13, 2024)— When school is out for the summer, students and families who rely on free and reduced-price meals lose access to an important source of food.

To bridge the meal gap, Food Gatherers’ Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) will provide free meals for kids and teens at locations throughout Washtenaw County from June 17 to August 16. The 2024 program is offered in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education and with support from Toyota Research & Development, Kroger, and the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor.

This summer, Food Gatherers is offering three program types so families can visit the programs and locations that work best for them: Eat and Play, Grab and Go, or Mini Grocery Pickup.

• At the Eat and Play sites, each child is served a meal, which must be eaten on site. Tables and seating are provided and some sites may provide games and activities. • Grab and Go sites offer to-go meals. Children do not need to be present and people can pick up meals on behalf of other families.

• Mini Grocery Pickups are pop-up food distributions where families can pick up a pre packed box of groceries to take home.

“We hope that by offering a variety of meal and grocery options, we can help more children and families get the nutrition they need to have a fun, healthy summer,” says LeRonica Roberts, Food Gatherers Community Food Programs Manager. “We encourage families to visit the program that works best for them, as often as they need to.”

Meals are available to all children, regardless of their address or school district. Meals schedules (available in multiple languages) and a map of locations are available on Food Gatherers’ website: FoodGatherers.org/Summer. Families can also find a list of sites by texting FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 or by calling Food Gatherers at 734-761-2796 for assistance.

Free meals will be available to children 18 years of age and under or persons up to 26 years of age enrolled in an educational program recognized by a state or local public educational agency. The meals are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

More resources for families

• Sun Bucks: This is a new federal program that provides a total of $120 in food benefits to qualifying families with school-age children during the summer months. Questions? Contact your school district to see if you’re eligible.

• Check with your school about school meals: Many school districts offer a summer meal program for enrolled students. Contact your school district for more information. • Find local food distributions: Food Gatherers has a network of partner food pantries and meal programs that is open year-round to anyone in need. For a directory of free food distributions in Washtenaw County, visit Food Gatherers’ Find Food page or call 734- 761-2796. For help finding resources outside of Washtenaw County, call 2-1-1 or go to mi211.org.

About Food Gatherers

Food Gatherers’ mission is to alleviate hunger and eliminate its root causes in Washtenaw County. Last year, our food bank and food rescue program distributed 7.8 million pounds of food to more than 140 non-profit programs serving adults, seniors, and children. For a list of our partner programs or to learn how you can become involved in the fight against hunger locally, please visit www.foodgatherers.org or call 734-761-2796.

Markell Miller, Director of Community Food Programs

(734) 761-2796, markell.miller@foodgatherers.org