Department of Education Announces Website for Families to Locate Summer Meal Program Sites

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Education today announced the availability of a website to help low-income families find a summer meal location for their children.

The Summer Food Service Program is available in many areas throughout the state. At these sites, meals are provided at no charge to eligible children under the age of 18.

To find a summer meal program location, visit www.pasummermeals.com. Families can locate up to 25 sites that are close to their home.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, hunger is one of the most severe roadblocks to the learning process. Lack of nutrition during the summer months may set up a cycle for poor performance once the new school year begins. The Summer Food Service Program was designed to ensure that children have access to nutritious meals.

Last year, 86 percent of children nationwide who were in need of food during the summer did not have access to a meal program. The Pennsylvania Summer Meals for Children Location Finder website was developed through a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, Robert A. Fox Leadership Program and PDE.

For additional information about the Summer Food Service Program, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service website at www.fns.usda.gov.

Organizations that are interested in providing meals to children through the Summer Food Service Program may call PDE's Division of Food and Nutrition at 1-800-331-0129.

Media Contact:  Tim Eller, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education