More than 250,000 Maryland school children reportedly rely on free or reduced costs for lunch during the school year.
Many districts are meeting the needs of those students, even though school’s out for summer.
The need to eat doesn't go away just because school year has come to a close.
Harford County Public Schools is one of the districts across the state participating in a summer food service program to make sure kids have something to eat for lunch during the summer break.
Volunteers made a special delivery of ham sandwiches along with peanut butter and jelly for Harford County Public School students. The Havre de Grace Public Library serves as one of the summer lunchrooms for students and kids couldn't be happier.
There's no charge for the brown bag lunch that contains a sandwich, fruit, and other snacks. Organizers say providing a free lunch can help families stretch their budgets.
Harford County Public Schools food service specialist Della Collins said “and that doesn't discriminate in any zip code, That's why its really important for parents and guardians to look at the local school system, Read the website, Call 211, Look at the MSD meals finder, and find their local meal site and go participate, because we do find that there is a need in summer, and we want to make sure that every mouth is fed"
Collins said since most of us eat with our eyes, they try to make the lunches interesting with a variety of colors of different fruits and snacks to keep kids interested in healthy eating.
It’s one reason why kids may get a lot more out of their lunch than a free meal.
"Healthy eating, reduction in obesity, long term better health benefits, So, it's a win-win for the children. The students, they get excited about apples, and bananas and chocolate milk, it makes going to work and planning the menus, It makes it worth it," Collins said.
There are no economic restrictions or proof of income requirements needed to participate. The summer food service program is open to any student within the district. Reservations are not required.
