BAKERSFIELD, CA -- For most kids summertime means no school. But for some, that also means no breakfast or lunch. But the Bakersfield City School District, among others in Kern County, are keeping kids from going hungry during these summer months.
With help from the federal government, BCSD is serving free breakfasts and lunches until July 17 at 23 different sites around Kern County. Fulfilling a need by filling stomachs of not just their students, but any child in need of a meal.
School may be out for summer but the cafeteria at Emerson Middle School is packed.
"It's good that they can come and eat here and have their meal," said mother Celia Sanchez.
Emerson is just one of the many sites you and your child can go to to take advantage of the Bakersfield City School District's Summer Seamless Food Program, which provides free breakfasts and lunches to any child ages 2 to 18.
"Generally speaking they may not have a balanced meal outside of the school setting so we kind of combat- it will combat hunger in that aspect," said Emerson's Summer School principal Addonica Stanley.
The continued food services costs the school around $8,000 for breakfast and $15,000 for lunch. But because of the demographics in the district, the federal government reimburses that cost.
"The demographic looks like about one child in every five has a need for meals that go hungry at some point during their day."
Brenda Robinson says the school is paid at the same rate they receive during the school year. And the district is happy to feed need for these young kids to have balanced meals during the summer break.
"Our children it gives them the availability to come have a free meal and enjoy a little conversation with their friends because sometimes when they're home all summer long they kind of miss school," Robinson says
Parents and adults over the age of 18 can also receive meals for under $4 at the BCSD school sites.
For a complete list of the districts and sites that will be serving free breakfast or lunches throughout the county, click the following link: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/sfs201415.asp
With help from the federal government, BCSD is serving free breakfasts and lunches until July 17 at 23 different sites around Kern County. Fulfilling a need by filling stomachs of not just their students, but any child in need of a meal.
School may be out for summer but the cafeteria at Emerson Middle School is packed.
"It's good that they can come and eat here and have their meal," said mother Celia Sanchez.
Emerson is just one of the many sites you and your child can go to to take advantage of the Bakersfield City School District's Summer Seamless Food Program, which provides free breakfasts and lunches to any child ages 2 to 18.
"Generally speaking they may not have a balanced meal outside of the school setting so we kind of combat- it will combat hunger in that aspect," said Emerson's Summer School principal Addonica Stanley.
The continued food services costs the school around $8,000 for breakfast and $15,000 for lunch. But because of the demographics in the district, the federal government reimburses that cost.
"The demographic looks like about one child in every five has a need for meals that go hungry at some point during their day."
Brenda Robinson says the school is paid at the same rate they receive during the school year. And the district is happy to feed need for these young kids to have balanced meals during the summer break.
"Our children it gives them the availability to come have a free meal and enjoy a little conversation with their friends because sometimes when they're home all summer long they kind of miss school," Robinson says
Parents and adults over the age of 18 can also receive meals for under $4 at the BCSD school sites.
For a complete list of the districts and sites that will be serving free breakfast or lunches throughout the county, click the following link: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/sfs201415.asp