During the school year, thousands of Seattle Public Schools students receive free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch each day. However, when school lets out, many of these children face a higher risk for hunger, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Thanks to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), thousands of Seattle children ages 1 through 18 will enjoy FREE, nutritious breakfasts, lunches and snacks this season. This program is a critical part of the fight against hunger and our efforts to make sure children have a fun, safe and healthy summer.

The program kicked off this past Friday, with a program at Jefferson Community Center on Beacon Hill featuring entertainment from Radio Disney Seattle, and speeches from Congressman Jim McDermott, Seattle Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Human Services Department Interim Director Catherine Lester, the Associate Director of Ending Homelessness at United Way of King County Lauren McGowan, and Seattle Seahawk Bruce Irvin. Blitz the Seahawk joined us afterwards for pictures!

This summer we’re making a big push to get the word out to kids, teens and families, because the program is still under-utilized despite the fact that the meals for kids are free and located at over 115 sites in the community. These include designated community centers, Seattle park playgrounds, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs and YWCAs, and other community sites throughout Seattle and parts of King County. The more parents, children, and teenagers who know about where sites are located, the more children will come to eat. The program runs from Wednesday, June 25 through Friday, August 22, 2014 (although there will be no service on the Independence Day holiday, July 4th, 2014). For more information and to find a meal site near you, please visit seattle.gov/summerfood.