BAKERSFIELD, CA - Community Action Partnership of Kern is making an effort to ensure kids are getting healthy meals while they're not in school. This week, CAPK started its free summer food service program, offering breakfast and lunch to kids around the county.
CAPK reports 58% of food bank participants in the area are children. Outreach Manager Mark Corum said, "The issue of childhood hunger in Kern County is very, very severe."
He says, during the school year, children in need can qualify for food assistance at school but during summer break many of them aren't getting well-balanced meals.
"When school is out, parents are working, they're going to school, they're busy. So, we just want to make sure that the kids aren't hitting the cupboards and hitting junk food. We want to make sure that they're getting nutritious meals. Their minds, their bodies are still growing. They need to have that good nutrition as they continue to grow," said Corum.
The summer food service program offers free breakfast and lunch to anyone under 18 years old.
It operates out of five sites in Bakersfield, one in Shafter, and one in Lamont. Lunch is available at all of the locations. The Friendship House Community Center and Shafter Youth Center serve breakfast.
"Locations for the summer program are typically decided upon to serve areas that have a high density of low income population," said Corum.
Corum says there aren't restrictions or guidelines to participate.
"We just want to make sure that if there's a need, they don't need to qualify on income or anything else. If they're hungry, they need a meal, come and see us, we'll get them fed," Corum said.
Organizers say the program not only provides nutritious meals but social interaction as well.
Program leader Kimberly Cervantes said, "They usually just come really excited and eager just to get the program started and come and talk and unite together as children."
The Bakersfield City School District also offers a summer meals program. Click here for more information and locations.
CAPK reports 58% of food bank participants in the area are children. Outreach Manager Mark Corum said, "The issue of childhood hunger in Kern County is very, very severe."
He says, during the school year, children in need can qualify for food assistance at school but during summer break many of them aren't getting well-balanced meals.
"When school is out, parents are working, they're going to school, they're busy. So, we just want to make sure that the kids aren't hitting the cupboards and hitting junk food. We want to make sure that they're getting nutritious meals. Their minds, their bodies are still growing. They need to have that good nutrition as they continue to grow," said Corum.
The summer food service program offers free breakfast and lunch to anyone under 18 years old.
It operates out of five sites in Bakersfield, one in Shafter, and one in Lamont. Lunch is available at all of the locations. The Friendship House Community Center and Shafter Youth Center serve breakfast.
"Locations for the summer program are typically decided upon to serve areas that have a high density of low income population," said Corum.
Corum says there aren't restrictions or guidelines to participate.
"We just want to make sure that if there's a need, they don't need to qualify on income or anything else. If they're hungry, they need a meal, come and see us, we'll get them fed," Corum said.
Organizers say the program not only provides nutritious meals but social interaction as well.
Program leader Kimberly Cervantes said, "They usually just come really excited and eager just to get the program started and come and talk and unite together as children."
The Bakersfield City School District also offers a summer meals program. Click here for more information and locations.