Summer Kids Meal Program Launches

When school lets out for the summer, thousands of Baltimore County children miss out on an important part of the day -- the meals provided free or at reduced cost through the schools.

Green Bay Packers’ Hall of Fame wide receiver and Baltimore native Antonio Freeman and Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake were on hand at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Cherry Hill on Tuesday to launch a summer meals program to provide free, nutritious meals to kids at more than 1,000 sites across the state, including at Riverview Elementary School and Baltimore Highlands Elementary School.

Last year, more than 38,000 Maryland children participated in the summer meal program -- only about 20 percent of those who receive free or reduced-rate meals at schools, according to Share Our Strength, which runs the No Kid Hungry campaign.

"Summer should be a fun, worry-free time for our kids, but it can be a stressful time for those who count on school meals," Rawlings-Blake said.

The summer meal program is a partnership the Governor’s Office for Children, Share Our Strength, the Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Hunger Solutions, the Family League of Baltimore City, Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Maryland Out of School Time Network, B’MoreFree Programs and the Food Research and Action Center.

For more information about the summer meal program and locations where meals are available call 877-731-9300 or visit NoKidHungryMd.org.