As the school year comes to an end, the excitement for summer vacations and outdoor activities is everywhere. But for some children, summer isn’t just about fun and games. It’s a time when the safety net of school-provided meals disappears, leaving them vulnerable to food insecurity.
Understanding this urgent issue, Mayor Bruce Harrell, a recently inducted member of the nationwide Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD), Seattle Parks and Recreation, and United Way King County have announced the launch of the 2023 Summer Food Services Program also known as Summer Meals Program. This program, beginning July 5 and continuing through August 25, is a robust annual effort to combat childhood hunger during the summer months when children lack access to school meals.
The Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger is a collective of city leaders who are committed to implementing and advocating for policies, community partnerships, and programs designed to provide children with healthy and delicious food. By joining this alliance, Mayor Harrell is placing Seattle at the forefront of cities working diligently to end childhood hunger.
The Summer Meals program, which has 62 meal distribution sites across the city this year, was designed to make free, nutritious meals readily available to all children under the age of 18—without the need for identification or proof of residency.
HSD Director Tanya Kim puts it powerfully: “This program is an important step towards our commitment to increasing accessibility and reducing the stigma around free meals. We’re ensuring that nutritious, appealing meals are within reach for our city’s youth.”
For more information on the program, including meal schedules and an online map of meal locations, please visit www.seattle.gov/summerfood.
As part of his commitment to working diligently to end childhood hunger, Mayor Harrell proclaimed July 10-14, 2023 to be Summer Meals Awareness Week. And he is calling on all of us to help increase awareness about the Summer Meal program…
Share the News: Help us ensure every child in Seattle has access to free, nutritious meals this summer. Share the following message on your social media platforms:
“Did you know? Seattle’s Summer Food Program offers free nutritious meals to anyone 18 and under from July 5th – August 25th at 62 locations across the city. No ID, proof of residency, or application is required. Help spread the word so every child in our city can have a healthy meal this summer. Find a meal site near you at www.uwkc.org/free-summer-meals. #SummerMealsSeattle”
List of Sites: We offer free summer meals at various parks, community centers, schools, housing communities, and organizations across Seattle and Tukwila and need your help increasing awareness of the Summer Food Service Program to the local community. Click here if you need a static, printable list of Open Meal Sites.