City Of Akron To Provide Free Meals Through Summer Food Service Program
Locations will also participate in the Summer Reading Program to encourage
summer reading practice and back-to-school readiness Akron, Ohio - As another school year comes to an end, Mayor Dan Horrigan is proud to announce that the City of Akron Recreation Bureau, in partnership with Akron Public Schools Child Nutrition Services, will once again be participating in the federally-funded Summer Food Service Program this year. "There is nothing more important than making sure our young people have the nutrition they need to grow, learn, and live healthy, productive lives," Mayor Horrigan said. "Research tells us that children who are hungry or food insecure are less likely be in good health, to form friendships, to be curious, and to learn. Through the Summer Food Service Program, we are able to continue to offer our children these essential meals at no cost throughout the summer, so that our students can return to class in the fall healthy and ready to learn." All children ages 1 through 18 are, eligible to receive free meals during the summer months. The City of Akron will once again be partnering with the Akron Public Schools (APS) and Summit Education Initiative (SEI), to host its successful summer reading program, starting June 10th and continuing through August 8th. All children are eligible to participate, but the program is targeted at helping Akron students in kindergarten through second grade practice their reading with support from a community volunteer. For the convenience of families, all twelve summer reading sites are also sites offering free lunch. "Our Summer Reading Program, which includes one-on-one sessions with volunteer tutors, helps stem the tide of reading loss and sends students back to school in the Fall, prepared to start the new school year off right. This also aligns with the work of the United Way of Summit County's `bold goal' around third grade reading readiness," Mayor Horrigan added. "I thank our partners at Akron Public Schools, Summit Education Initiative and The EX[L] Center at The University of Akron for supporting these critically important programs for Akron's future leaders."
The Summer Reading Program partners are also seeking volunteers to read to students. "This is a great opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of a young person," Akron City Councilman-at-large Jeff Fuso said of the program. "We encourage everyone to consider volunteering to read with a student-whether for just one hour or throughout the summer." "Learning and good nutrition can't take the summer off, but for quite a few of our students, one or both really do," added David W. James, superintendent Akron Public Schools. "We're grateful for the community team that's looking out for students when they're on an extended break. We must make sure kids keep up with learning and have healthy meals so they can have energy and enjoy every day." Parents interested in registering their children for the Summer Reading Program and community members interested in volunteering should contact Roberta Rogers, Summer Reading Program Coordinator, at (330) 812-7878 or rrogers2@apslearns.org. Volunteers can register for a location and a time slot at bit.ly/akrontutor19. For information or about summer meal program sites or details, please contact: Robert Dowdell, City of Akron Food Service Program Coordinator at davis_cc@akronohio.gov or (330) 375- 2832. Acceptance and participation requirements for the food service program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. To file a complaint of discrimination, write or call immediately to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
