The Houston Independent School District kicked off its No Cost Summer Meals Program with a party at Brookline Elementary School, where the community received information about the program, food items from the Houston Food Bank, and enjoyed a morning of fun and games.
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Nutrition Services Community Outreach Dietitian Nan Cramer said the No Cost Summer Meals Program provides nutritionally analyzed meals to ensure children receive the vitamins, minerals, and calories they need.
“We want children to be well nourished,” Cramer said. “Children need balanced meals to grow healthy, and HISD is happy to provide these meals to all Houston children.”
Operations Manager and Summer Meals Program Coordinator Chandra Brown coordinated 258 schools to provide the meal program to the community.
Summer resource guide for parents
“HISD wants children in the Houston area to enjoy a breakfast and lunch at no cost,” Brown said. “This program allows parents to relax and relieve some of the financial pressure to feed their child.”
Brown added that children do not have to be registered for summer school to participate in the No Cost Summer Meals Program. Children between 1 and 18 years old eat free, and adults accompanying children can purchase breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.25.
Brookline Elementary School Principal Marco Morales said the No Cost Summer Meals is a much-needed program for the community.
“We are a centrally located campus for many residents in our area,” Morales said. “So far, we have had children of all ages eating with us, they know we have our doors open.”
Summer meal dates and serving times vary by campus, so parents should contact individual campuses for more details. Visit http://www.houstonisd.org/freesummermeals for more information about the program and to find times and school locations where meals are being served, or call HISD Nutrition Services Department at 713-491-5944.
For information on where to find free meals after mid-July, call 2-1-1 or text FOODTX to 877-877.