Both the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara county food banks started serving lunch to children and teens in mid-June. The programs aim to feed kids while school’s out for the summer months and school meals come to an end.
SLO County’s program, Lovin’ Lunchbox, serves meals that follow U.S. Department of Agriculture nutritional guidelines for free to those ages 18 years old and younger. Summer meal sites are scattered throughout the county. Visit slofoodbank.org to find dates, times, and site addresses.
A press release from the SLO County Food Bank said that 16,000 children in the county are recipients of free and reduced-price school meals during the school year.
The Food Bank of Santa Barbara County’s Picnic in the Park summer food program kicked off on June 12. The program runs for 10 weeks. Food is served at various parks countywide, Monday through Friday. Children under the age of 18 are welcome to participate in food literacy classes, try a physical activity, and receive a nutritious lunch.
A press release from Santa Barbara County’s food bank said it aims to provide 38,000 meals to 2,000 children over the summer at 16 outdoor sites across the county.
Families can find a Picnic in the Park locations by texting Food4Kids to 877-877.
This article appears in Jun 26 – Jul 3, 2014.