Press Release
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The Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB) is participating in the 2019 Summer Food Service Program, a program administered by the USDA. Through the Lowcountry Food Bank's Summer Meals program, which begins in June, meals will be provided to children 18 years old and younger without charge. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
Tentative dates for program operation are: June 10, 2019 – August 16, 2019
The LCFB Summer Meals Program serves children who face hunger during the summer when school meals are not available. During the school year, the National School Lunch Program plays a pivotal role in fighting childhood hunger. A Summer Meals Kick-Off is scheduled for June 6 on Johns Island. Nearly 80% of children who attend public school on Johns and Wadmalaw Island qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Many of these children dread the last day of school because they will face a summer of hunger instead of fun.
The majority of summer meals are prepared in the LCFB’s Zucker Family Production Kitchen. The program ensures children will receive nutritious breakfast, lunch and fresh produce throughout the summer totaling more than 54,000 meals including 3,000 pounds of fresh produce. The sites are chosen based on their accessibility and capacity to serve the children who need the meals most.
The Summer Meals Program enables the LCFB to provide year-round hunger relief services to children within our community. During the school year, the LCFB partners with public schools to provide essential meals to children and their families through the BackPack Buddies, Kids Café and School Pantry programs. Families are also able to receive food assistance at faith-based and non-profit organizations that partner with the LCFB. However, additional food resources are needed during the summer when school meals are not available, and the Summer Meals Program fulfills this need.
Meals will be provided at the following sites:
Individuals can text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 to find more summer meals sites and meal service times.
