Partners HealthCare and Project Bread work together to fight hunger during the summer months
Special Advertorial Health Section
Good nutrition is a cornerstone of good health, especially for growing children. A healthy diet is essential for healthy development. Kids that eat healthy, nutritious meals are more likely to succeed in school. Kindergarten age children with insufficient nutrition are at risk for impaired academic performance in reading and math, and at risk for a potential decline in social skills.
Some children experience hunger far too often. According to Project Bread’s 2014 Status Report on Hunger, more than 375,000 households in Massachusetts cannot confidently predict where their next meal is coming from. To help address this problem, Partners HealthCare supports Project Bread and the Summer Food Service Program to ensure that all children have access to the meals that they need throughout the summer months.
In Massachusetts, more than 400,000 low-income children qualify for free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch during the school year and many count on those meals throughout the year. During the summer months, these children may not have access to the same meals. The support of Project Bread and Partners HealthCare is essential for filling the meal gap many children are at risk of experiencing during the summer months. The Summer Food Service Program provides free meals to children ages 18 and under at various sites throughout the state all summer long. Sites can be found in various places including: community centers, schools, parks, pools, day camps, YMCAs and more. Having a variety of sites helps to ensure greater access to meals across all communities and also makes use of community resources, as much of the meals and snacks are often sourced from local vendors.
“Our goal with the Summer Food Service Program is to make sure that kids do not need to worry about where their next meal is coming from — they can just be kids,” says Ashley Krebs, Director of the Child Nutrition Outreach Program. “The support from Partners HealthCare is a large part of what makes this possible. Partners’ support allows us to provide thousands of meals to kids in need throughout the state.” This past summer, Partners sponsored sites included: Boston, Dorchester, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, Revere, Salem, Lynn, Waltham and more.
Providing free, nutritious meals throughout the summer not only keeps kids well-fed, it also helps ensure that they return to school ready to learn. Maintaining healthy and nutritious habits throughout the whole year is a key to students’ success.
“Addressing hunger and nutrition is a key component to addressing a family’s health and wellness,” says Matt Fishman, Vice President for Community Health, Partners HealthCare. “We are pleased to work with Project Bread and the Summer Food Service Program to support the positive impact they have on the lives of families throughout Massachusetts.”
The Summer Food Service Program sites generally run from July until mid-August. All children ages 1 through 18 are eligible to receive free meals. This past summer, more than 60,000 children enjoyed a healthy and nutritious breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner at one or more of the 900 Summer Food Service sites throughout the state. Each meal served helps to ensure that no child is left hungry during the summer and is able to return to school well-prepared for success.
