SAN BENITO — Summer may bring a break from school but for some it may also mean a break from nutritious meals.
That’s the reason why this summer, the school district is partnering with the state to provide free meals to hungry kids.
San Benito school district is participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Seamless Summer Food Service Program.
Any child under 18 can receive a meal free of charge. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at various locations around San Benito.
“It’s a great opportunity for parents and family to make sure their children receive nutritious meals during the summer months,” said child nutrition program director Jana Landrum.
Officials with the district’s child nutrition program encourage learning through the whole year.
“Learning does not end when school lets out. Neither does the need for good nutrition,” program officials stated.
“Good nutrition is essential for learning in school. Continuing healthy eating habits is also important during the long hot summer months.”
The SFSP, which Landrum said the district has participated in for years, is a federally-funded, state-administered program.
The program reimburses providers who serve free healthy meals to children and teens in low-income areas during the summer months when school is not in session.
“For many of these children, summer vacation can bring the temptation of eating empty calorie snacks and foods that are high in sugar, fats and sodium,” program officials stated.
“For many others, summer exposes students to an increased risk of hunger and developmental decline.”
Schools, local government agencies, camps, faith-based and other non-profit community organizations that have the ability to manage a food service program may be SFSP sponsors. Sponsors get reimbursed by the program and may manage multiple sites.
Sites are places in the community where children receive meals in a safe and supervised environment. Those include schools, parks, community centers, health clinics, hospitals, apartment complexes, churches and migrant centers.
Sites work directly with sponsors.
“Eating nutritious foods helps ensure students retain their hard-learned knowledge and to help them to keep right on learning throughout the summer,” program officials stated.
Landrum encourages everyone in San Benito and the surrounding areas to participate. She assures the public there are no restrictions on location.
If you are from San Benito, Harlingen or even Rio Hondo, you will be given a meal.
IF YOU GO
Meal Sites
Where to go for breakfast and lunch
For more information contact the Child Nutrition Program at 956-361-6400.
Site/School Dates Breakfast Lunch
San Benito High School June 6 to July 14 8-9 11-12
450 S. Williams Rd. (Monday – Thursday)
S.B. Veterans Memorial Academy June 6 to July 14 7:30-8:30 11-12
2115 N. Williams Rd. (Monday – Thursday)
Miller Jordan M.S. June 6 to June 30 7:30-8:30 11-12
700 N. McCullough (Monday – Thursday)
Riverside M.S. June 20 to July 14 7:30-8:30 11-12
35428 Padilla St. (Monday – Thursday)
Fred Booth Elementary June 6 to June 30 7:30-8:30 11-12
705 Zaragosa (Monday – Thursday)
Dr. Cash Elementary June 6 to July 14 7:30-8:30 11-12
400 Poinciana (Monday – Thursday)
Frank Roberts Elementary June 6 to June 30 7:30-8:30 11-12
451 Biddle St. (Monday – Thursday)
O. De La Fuente Elementary June 6 to June 30 7:30-8:30 11-12
2700 S. Sam Houston. (Monday – Thursday)
San Benito Boys & Girls Club June 6 to August 12 8-8:30 12:00-12:30
410 N. Stookey Rd. (Monday – Friday)
St. Benedict Catholic Church June 6 to June 9 None 11:15-11:45
351 S. Bowie (Monday – Thursday)
St. Ignatius Catholic Church June 6 to June 9 None 11:30-12
24380 U.S. Hwy. 281 (Monday – Thursday)
First Presbyterian Church June 6 to June 9 8-8:30 11-11:30
566 N. Reagan (Monday – Thursday)
