More Than 15,000 Children in Dauphin County are Eligible to Receive Nutrition Assistance During the School Year, but Many Go Hungry During Summer Months; County, Statewide Data Shows How Children Benefit from Nutrition Programs
Harrisburg, PA - With schools closed for the summer, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, highlighted resources available to more than 15,000 Dauphin County children who receive critical nutrition assistance during the school year. Casey discussed the resources available through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a federal nutrition program jointly run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and local sponsors. There are more than 70 sites in Central Pennsylvania.
“There are far too many children in Central Pennsylvania and across the country who are hungry,” Senator Casey said. “This is a program that can help children get the food they need during the summer months when school is out. Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation. We need to raise awareness about it so that every child eligible for summer meals can get them.”
In Dauphin County, there are over 15,000 children eligible for free or reduced lunches during the school year, yet many do not take advantage of it during the summer months. The program helps children receive nutritious meals during the summer months when school is out. Residents can find more information about the program by calling 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE or visiting pasummermeals.com.
