For many children, summer break can create a gap in access to reliable meals.
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is working to help families bridge that gap with its annual Summer Meals Kickoff event on Wednesday, June 10, at Albert C. Black Jr. STEAM Academy in southern Dallas.
The free, family-friendly event will include meal distribution, groceries to take home, health and wellness resources, crafts, inflatables and soccer activities with FC Dallas mascot Tex Hooper.
The event runs from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the school, located at 4200 Bonnie View Road.
United Way says summer can be especially challenging for families because school-based meal programs are no longer as easy to access while children are out of class.
“When those school doors close for a lot of kids, that means the door to hunger can open,” Susan Hoff with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas told KRLD. “And so the summer meals program is all about making sure that those families have the access and have the connections to keep getting their kids fed all throughout the summer.”
United Way says recent data shows child food insecurity rates in Dallas County have climbed to 25 percent, with communities in southern Dallas among those especially impacted.
Hoff says rising costs are also putting pressure on working families.
“Many families, even families that are working, parents that are working, are still struggling with costs right now,” Hoff said. “Gas prices are high, food prices are high. And so having the opportunity to have some additional support so they can make sure their kids get fed in a safe and healthy way is so important.”
Dallas ISD Food and Nutrition Services will provide free nutritious meals during the event. Families will also be able to connect with community resources focused on food access, health and wellness.
The Summer Meals Kickoff is open to the public. Registration is required in advance.
