May 17, 2011

SUMMER SERVINGS TO PROMOTE FREE MEAL PROGRAMS, FIGHT CHILD HUNGER
New website and community support will connect families to vital resources

INDIANAPOLIS – Congressman André Carson, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, and representatives from the Child Hunger Initiative today announced "Summer Servings," a program that provides free meals to Indianapolis youth in an effort to fight child hunger in the Indianapolis area.

Summer Servings is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program which provides nutritious meals to children in low-income areas during the summer months when the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs are not available. The program is funded by the USDA and administered locally through the Indiana Department of Education.

"Proper nutrition is the smartest investment we can make in the lives of our children," said Congressman Carson. "We cannot permit cries for federal budget cuts to leave kids hungry."

Summer Servings will provides free meals to youth ages 18 and under at 230 sites across Marion County.

"Summer Servings connects families to critical resources, providing healthy, balanced meals that are essential to a child's physical and emotional wellness," said Mayor Ballard.

The Child Hunger Initiative, working closely with Publicis Indianapolis, secured partnerships to create awareness for Summer Servings on 25 donated billboards across the city. People interested in learning more about Summer Servings locations may call the Mayor's Action Center (327-4MAC), the 2-1-1 information hotline or visit www.summerservings.org.

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