2014 Free Summer Meals Program Kicks Off in New York City

The clinic allowed students to interact with the players, who shared their success stories and talked about the importance of hard work along with a healthy lifestyle. But with six out of seven NYC children not receiving the meals they need after school ends, it becomes more of a challenge to stay strong and healthy. “Poverty is complex, but feeding a child is not,” said Billy Shore, founder and CEO of Share Our Strength, the nonprofit behind No Kid Hungry. “There is no reason that any child be deprived of something as simple as a healthy meal.”

The Free Summer Meals program served 7.9 million meals last summer alone, according to Mayor Bill DiBlasio. This summer, with more than 1,000 sites across the city serving free meals, DiBlasio said he hopes the program’s success will continue. To find a Free Summer Meals site near you, text NYC Meals to 877-877, call 311, or visit newyorkcity.nokidhungry.org/free-summer-meals.