City Kicks off the Start of Summer Meals Programming at Vare Recreation Center

Philadelphia's Summer Meals program commenced at the Vare Recreation Center, aimed at providing free meals to children and teens. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker underscored the city's dedication to ensuring that every child has access to healthy food, especially during the summer months when schools are closed. This year's initiative will operate over 500 meal sites across the city, beginning June 16, and is available to all youth up to 18 years old without requiring IDs or registration. Chief Deputy Mayor Vanessa Garrett Harley stated that meeting children's nutritional needs is foundational for their growth and learning.

The program is a collaborative effort involving the School District of Philadelphia and Nutritional Development Services, which last summer served over 295,000 meals. Local officials emphasized the importance of these sites as safe spaces for children to receive nourishment and engage in recreational activities. Families can confirm meal schedules by visiting phila. gov/food. The initiative reflects a community commitment to combating food insecurity and supporting youth well-being.