Next Tuesday, First Lady O'Malley will have lunch with children who participate in the Summer Food Service Program at Buckingham Elementary School in Worcester County. The Summer Food Service Program gives children access to free, nutritious meals during the summer months. First Lady O'Malley will help serve the summer meals, eat with the children, and will also highlight the State of Maryland's partnership with Share Our Strength to End Child Hunger in Maryland, an initiative that Governor O'Malley kicked off last year.
The partnership aims to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland in 5 years by increasing participation in highly effective but under-utilized federal food and nutrition programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), the Summer Food Service Program, School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The Partnership will bring additional federal funds to the State of Maryland in order to increase enrollment and participation in existing programs. First Lady O'Malley will highlight the Summer Meals Program which is part of the Summer Food Service Program.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides cash reimbursement for meals served at eligible sites across the State of Maryland when school is not in session. The SFSP is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program, administered by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), that helps children receive the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer. In the summer of 2008 alone, over 2.2 million Summer Meals were served in Maryland. Organizations, including schools, camps, and nonprofit organizations, serving low-income students or located in high need areas, are eligible to participate.
More than 152,000 children live below the poverty line in Maryland, and nearly 87,000 Maryland households have children who participate in the Food Supplement Program.
The event will take place TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2009 from 11:30 to 12:15 at Buckingham Elementary School, 100 Buckingham Road, Berlin, MD.
WHAT: First Lady Katie O'Malley to Serve Lunch and Visit Students at Buckingham Elementary
WHEN: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Buckingham Elementary School
100 Buckingham Road
Berlin, MD