City of Philadelphia Announces Increasein Summer Meal Service Participation

Philadelphia, October 16, 2012 – The City of Philadelphia announced a 26% increase in summer meal service participation during the summer 2012 season. The Department of Parks and Recreation, which manages the City’s Summer Food Service Program, and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia provided 3,484,218 total meals, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, to Philadelphia children 18 years old and younger at Recreation Centers, playgrounds, Play Streets, churches, YMCAs and schools.rnrn rnrn“Our Administration is committed to preventing childhood hunger all year long. The Summer Food Service Program is a critical component to ensure that every young Philadelphian has access to healthy, free food while not in school,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “We are dedicated to providing meals to even more children next summer.”rnrn rnrnThe Department of Parks and Recreation served a total of 2,791,060 meals at 883 locations from June 18th to August 31st.rnrnBreakfast: 249,470rnLunch: 1,369,075rnSnacks: 1,172,515rn rnrn“Our recreation facilities provide safe and welcoming environments to serve healthy meals to children,” said Susan Slawson, First Deputy Commissioner for Recreation and Programs. “Our staff plays a critical role in the success of this program, so I want to thank them for their hard work.”rnrn rnrnThe Archdiocese of Philadelphia provided an additional 693,158 meals to Philadelphia children at Archdiocesan locations.rnrn rnrnBreakfast: 156,136rnLunch: 370,776rnSnacks: 166,246