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July 10, 2006 – During the hot summer months, when school is out and eating a nutritious meal is not a priority, Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) is asking Southbridge residents to take advantage of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) offered through Project Bread, where kids can take a break and get a free meal in town.
“When school is out for the summer, kids are too active to think about finding a place to eat a healthy meal,” said Senator Moore. “These food service sites located throughout Southbridge are places where children stop by to enjoy a nutritious meal and take part in some fun entertainment,” said Senator Moore.
Recently, the Southbridge Public Schools and the police department were awarded a total of $32,286 in the form of a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Incentive Grant from Project Bread-The Walk for Hunger. The Southbridge Public Schools were awarded $26,617 and the Southbridge Police Department will receive $5,669.
In a letter to Senator Moore, Ellen Parker, Executive Director of Project Bread noted that this grant is part of our efforts to increase the flow of federal dollars into target communities like Southbridge by increasing participation in federally reimbursed food programs. Research shows that the most effective way to protect children from hunger is to ensure that healthy meals are available-without stigma-where children live, learn and play.
"As part of our child hunger prevention work, we're committed to feeding kids in Southbridge where they live, learn, and play," said Parker. "Kids are scattered over the summer months, making it more difficult to feed them. For this reason, we've made an investment in bringing food and fun together at neighborhood programs in Southbridge that are attractive and helpful to families."
“Project Bread is pleased to have been able to award 2 Summer Food Program Incentive Grants to Southbridge Police Department and Southbridge Public Schools to help start and expand their SFSP sites,” said Christine Jordan, Community Initiatives Manager, Project Bread. “This summer, the Southbridge Police Department, in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club, will be running a summer basketball league on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Morris Street Park, and free meals will be served by Southbridge Public Schools to all participants and spectators age 18 and under. Free meals will also be served at several school based sites in town.”
Children age 18 and under can eat free meals this summer at any of the following locations in Southbridge:
• West Street School
• Charlton Street School
• Wells Jr. High School
• Armory Community Center
• Eastford Road School
• Morris Street Park
• Brookside Terrace
No registration or identification is necessary, and many of the sites have fun activities for the children.
For more details about the food service program, visit wwwmeals4kids.org. To learn more about Senator Moore’s legislation and his work in the Massachusetts Senate, log onto his web site at www.senatormoore.com
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