Mayor Jim Kenney joined the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Children and Families and Parks & Recreation, together with the American Dairy Association Northeast and Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Avant, to celebrate the kickoff of the City’s summer meal program. Run in partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, Nutritional Development Services, and other partners, the City offers more than 300 child and youth meal sites this summer. This citywide and community-based effort will ensure that all children and youth have access to free, healthy meals until the next school year begins. A full list and finder of student meal sites for summer is at phila.gov/food.
Mayor Jim Kenney, City of Philadelphia, said, “When school is not in session, thousands of Philadelphia students need access to nutritious meals. We are grateful to the partners and volunteers working with us to ensure there are free meals available to children at more than 300 meal sites across the city this summer.
All children and youth up to age 18 in Philadelphia are eligible. No student ID is required.
Meal distribution days and times vary by site. Families should call ahead or visit the site to confirm the schedule.
Meals must be eaten on-site due to USDA regulations. Most student meals are funded through the USDA’s Summer Food Services Program.
Vanessa Garrett Harley, Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia’s Office of Children and Families, shared, “The summer meals program reaches every corner of our city, a credit to our large network of volunteers and partner organizations. I want to thank everyone involved for providing healthy meals to our youth and your commitment to tirelessly distribute meals.”
An up-to-date list of summer meal sites and schedules for all food sites and student meal sites is available on the City’s website.
The public is encouraged to confirm locations and schedules by calling 311 or visiting phila.gov/food before going to a site. Residents can also find free summer meal sites by calling the Summer Meals Hotline at 215-770-4659, operated by the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, or residents can text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 to find a summer meal site. Families will receive a text back with the three closest meal sites. It is run by Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign.
“Hunger never takes a break, even when school is out. That’s why Parks & Recreation is committed to providing hundreds of summer meal sites for children this summer through our PlayStreets, PlayParks, recreation centers, and summer camps,” said Interim Parks & Recreation Commissioner Orlando Rendon. “Providing free summer meals is a key part of our summer programming for children and youth.”
Find a meal site.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of its people through stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways, and of 500 recreation buildings, 166 miles of trail, and 250 playgrounds. PPR offers safe, enjoyable recreation, environmental and cultural programs and events throughout Philadelphia’s parks and recreation system. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city’s residents by connecting them to the natural world, to each other and to fun, physical and social opportunities.
