Summer is no reason for children to go hungry

Do you know any kids living in low-income households that could benefit from a nutritious, healthy lunch? Project Bread is supporting the Summer Food Service Program in Malden to provide free summer lunches for kid in need while on school vacation.

The Summer Food Service Program is federally funded via the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) an agency of the USDA. On a state level most often education agencies administer the program. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are managing our program and Malden High School has been appointed to prepare and oversee the operation for the city.

The program serves low-income areas where half or more of the children are from households with income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline. The twelve Malden sites that are providing the Free Summer Lunch Program are:

1. Malden High School
   77 Salem Stree
   Lunch 11:30 – 12:30

2. Beebe School Park
   401 Pleasant Street
   Lunch 12:00 – 1:00

3. Coytemore Lea
   Mt Ave MDC Pool
   Lunch 11:00 – 12:00

4. Early Learning Center
   257 Mountain Ave
   Lunch 10:30 – 11:30

5. Ferryway School Park
   150 Cross Street
   Lunch 11:45 – 12:45

6. Green Street Park
   Green & Wadsworth Streets
   Lunch 11:50 – 12:50

7. IIDIIL Learning Center
   1 Center Street, Suite 1A
   Breakfast 9:10 – 10:10
   Lunch 12:45 – 1:45

8. International Childcare Exchange
   43 Clinton Street
   Breakfast 8:15 – 9:15
   Lunch 11:40 -12:40

9. Kids’ Place at North Shore Assembly of God Church
   77 Kennedy Drive
   Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00
   Lunch 11:00 – 12:00

10. Linden School
    29 Westcot Street
    Lunch 11:00 – 12:00

11. Miller Park
    Harvard Street
    Lunch 11:30 – 12:30

12. Salemwood School Park
    529 Salem Street
    Lunch 11:15 – 12:15

Neighborhood View first visited Malden High School where the Summer Food Program is coordinated. Speaking with Director Terri Tusa-Pelosi who described the program as awesome informed us that between 800 and 900 children are fed daily through this free lunch program and for a few sites breakfast as well. While we were there we observed Malden High School students preparing lunch packs that get transported to the sites for distribution. The students are part of the City of Malden’s Summer Youth Jobs Program and they exhibited a good sense of team work, and responsibility with a youthful exuberance on display.

Some sites such as Green Street Park offer arts and crafts for the young children before lunch arrives. Kids’ Place at the North Shore Assembly of God Church staff member Leandra informed us they are feeding about 45 children daily through the Program which includes some children from the nearby transitional shelter.

No registration is required for children to receive a meal, and it works on a first come first serve basis. Just show up Monday through Friday at any of the sites and enjoy a nutritious meal. The program runs through August 15 so don’t delay. –Marcia Manong and Karen Lynch