Oakland is gearing up to serve free food throughout the summer at dozens of locations, after previously informing community groups that the program would be coming to an end because of the costs.
This week, the city announced the summer food program would continue with contributions from the East Bay Community Foundation, Eat. Learn. Play, and the Alameda County Food Bank. The program’s goal is to make sure no child in the city goes hungry while school is out of session. Last summer, the program served more than 100,000 meals.
- The free summer meals program is available to all children aged 18 and under and adults with disabilities who are enrolled in a school program
- The meals are available from May 27 to Aug. 8, however most sites will start serving meals in June
- Here’s a complete list of the libraries, rec centers, and community sites where meals will be served
- Oakland Unified also serves breakfast and lunch to students enrolled in summer school at their sites
- Mealtimes are 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
- California’s Meals for Kids mobile app can also help you find free meals in Oakland and beyond
“This is what real partnership looks like — public and private organizations coming together to make sure our kids are supported,” Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins said in a press release. “The City of Oakland is proud to be part of this effort, and I’m deeply grateful to our city staff and our community partners at Alameda County Community Food Bank, Eat. Learn. Play., and the East Bay Community Foundation for stepping up to meet this challenge and ensuring that no child in Oakland goes hungry during the summer.”
Oakland’s summer meals program has been around for four decades. Many children whose families are food insecure have access to nutritional meals during the school year through their campus cafeteria. The free summer meals program bridges the summer months when kids are out of school…