NR-Summer Meal Program 6-4gptds

Los Angeles Unified School District
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA RELATIONS
333 S. Beaudry Ave., 24th floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 241-6766
FAX: (213) 241-8952
www.lausd.net
News Release
1200 N. Cornwell St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 342-0428
Contact: Ellen T. Morgan (213) 241-6766
June 4, 2015
#14/15–278
LAUSD TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH FREE MEALS THIS SUMMER
Program begins June 15 at 301 School Sites
LOS ANGELES – Officials from the Los Angeles Unified School District Food Services Division
today announced its summer meal services program.
The District is working toward making sure that no students in the community go hungry when
schools close for the summer. More than 520,000 students in L.A. Unified qualify for free or
reduced-price meals during the school year, but many lack nourishment when the school year
ends. The Summer Food Service Program ensures that all children continue to benefit during
the summer from good nutrition.
“Our summer meals program is a building block in the community leading to healthy, happy
youngsters who are ready to learn,” said Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines. “Our responsibility
to our students doesn’t end when school lets out. Boys and girls who get enough to eat and
have safe activities to participate in during the summer are less likely to get into trouble.”
The Food Services Division, in collaboration with the Beyond The Bell Branch, the District’s
afterschool program, will operate the summer food program at 301 sites (see attached current
list). Anyone between the ages of 1 and 18 may receive free meals. The District also is
partnering with the city of Los Angeles - Recreation and Parks Department to provide meals at
106 additional sites.
“Many of our students, who rely on school lunch during the school year, cannot continue to
develop both physically and cognitively if they do not receive the proper nutrition. That’s where
we come in, by providing a nutritious meal to keep kids nourished and healthy during the long
summer months,” said Food Services Interim Co-Director Laura Benavidez.
Timikel Sharpe, the interim co-director, for Food Services added: “Food insecurity is a growing
issue and we at LAUSD are not exempt. As a school district that encompasses such a large
geographical area we have thousands of students each day who rely on the breakfast, lunch
and suppers to sustain them.”
For the majority of participating schools, the summer program runs from June 15 through July
24. Depending on participation, the program may be extended at select schools.
The program is operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the
California Department of Education. For more information about the summer food program,
contact the Food Services Division at 213-241-6419 or 213-241-6422.
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