Nutritional Development Service’s Summer Meals Program runs from June 10- August 23.
For the 13th consecutive year, Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (NDS) will hold its annual Blessing of the Summer to kick off its Summer Meals Program.
Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan, President of NDS’ Board, will preside over the blessing at Saint Helena-Incarnation Catholic School.
Thursday, June 27, 2019
11:30 a.m.
Saint Helena-Incarnation Catholic School
6101 N. 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19120
The Summer Meals Program is federally funded and operated nationally by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In our region, it is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
In 2018, NDS’ Summer Meals Program served approximately 385 sites throughout the greater Philadelphia area and provided roughly 750,000 meals including breakfasts, snacks, lunches, and dinner to children who otherwise would have struggled to obtain nutritious food from other sources.
Brooke Mullen, Assistant Director of Community Relations for NDS said, “The Summer Meals Program is a wonderful opportunity to partner with community leaders to provide service to families and contribute to the health and well-being of children in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The blessing is a great celebration of the work to provide children a healthy, fun atmosphere while working to alleviate childhood hunger during the summer months.”
Participating sites provide children aged 18 years or younger, a box lunch and choice of breakfast or snack. Meals include whole grains, low-fat milk, protein-rich foods, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. In addition, all meals follow federal guidelines for nutrition, and lunches provide 1/3 of a child’s daily nutritional requirements. Philadelphia and many suburban neighborhoods qualify for the program.
In addition, children and families who benefit from NDS’ Summer Meals Program will also get an additional boost this summer thanks to a partnership between NDS and the Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA).
Dedicated staff from the NDS Community Food Program will set up produce stands at various sites throughout the Philadelphia area to provide nourishing produce at no cost to children and families who have limited access to fresh items in the summer months. Participants will also receive vital nutrition information and the option to sample healthy recipes.
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Editor’s Note: To sign up for the Summer Meals Program or for more information on Nutritional Development Services, please the NDS Summer Meals Hotline at 215-895-3470 option 1. For more information about NDS, please visit https://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/.