PROJECT BREAD SUPPORTS ‘FOOD AND FUN’ FOR JAMAICA PLAIN KIDS THIS SUMMER
$225,900 in statewide grants aim to help families cope with food and gas crisis

June 27, 2008 — EAST BOSTON — When school is out, kids who rely on free or reduced-price school meals need a safe place to go where they can get a healthy meal and have some summer fun. That’s why Project Bread is providing $8,000 in incentive grants to the Summer Food Service Program in Jamaica Plain in an effort to help families cope with the skyrocketing cost of food and gas.

Grants can be used to acquire food storage and preparation equipment, sports or arts and crafts equipment, even books — whatever it takes to enrich the programming and increase the number of children they serve. Community Servings, Inc. is receiving a portion of the grant to expand the number of programs they are offering this year.

“With the high costs of food and gas this summer, we want parents to take advantage of these free summer food and fun programs,” said Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread. “Some programs provide a breakfast and lunch, some a lunch and snack — each is a little different — but whatever the structure is, it definitely saves the family the cost of that meal or snack. This can really add up over the course of the summer. Parents can then apply that savings to a nutritious evening meal for the entire family. We don’t want children sitting at home hungry and bored, so we’ve made an investment in bringing good food and fun together in neighborhood programs that are truly supportive of families.”

In addition, Community Servings, Inc. in Jamaica Plain was given a grant to incorporate locally grown produce into the meals served at its summer sites. Community Servings, Inc. is also following Project Bread’s “Better Summer Meals” guidelines, which will feature fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy products in their summer menus. This is one of five programs throughout the state piloting this cutting-edge nutritional program.

“Helping low-income families gain access to nutritious food is fundamental to our mission,” said Ellen Parker. “Throughout the growing season, using locally-grown produce is good for the farmers and great for our families. It introduces low-income children to fruits and vegetables that are at the height of their nutritional value and flavor.”

Project Bread is providing a total of 54 grants this summer, amounting to $225,900. They will be given to a wide range of local organizations, including Boys and Girls Clubs, community centers, school- and playground-based programs, church programs, and YMCAs. Communities receiving Summer Food Service Program Incentive Grants from Project Bread this year include: Boston, Brockton, Cape Cod, Chelsea, Fall River, Fitchburg, Gloucester, Greenfield, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, North Adams, Orange, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, West Springfield, Westfield, and Worcester. Project Bread’s hunger prevention work is supported by the Massachusetts Legislature.

For a complete listing of locations, dates, and times in Jamaica Plain, call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 or visit www.meals4kids.org.

About Project Bread
As the state’s leading anti-hunger organization, Project Bread is dedicated to alleviating, preventing, and ultimately ending hunger in Massachusetts. Through The Walk for Hunger, the oldest continual pledge walk in the country, Project Bread provides millions of dollars each year in privately donated funds to 400 emergency food programs in 126 communities statewide. Project Bread also advocates systematic solutions that prevent hunger in children and that provide food to families in natural, everyday settings. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org.

About the Summer Food Service Program
Throughout the summer, Project Bread works to expand access to the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which currently provides free meals for children and adolescents up to age 18 at locations in low-income communities throughout Massachusetts. Project Bread’s goal is to increase the number of young people using these programs by providing grants that enable directors to set up new, convenient locations around town or improve the quality of food. Children who have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer return to school in the fall ready to learn.