FUSD and EOC working together to fight child hunger during summer break
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno Unified wants no child to go hungry this summer, so just like years in the past, they are offering free lunches over the next few months.
But these meals aren't only for students-- anyone in the community from ages one to 18 can eat for free at any of the district's 45 lunch sites. Helping families with financial troubles keep their kids healthy
"We know a lot of our communities are food deserts and a lot of our children are living in poverty and may not know where their next meal is coming from," said Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas, FUSD Board Member.
As long as you fit the age group, nothing else is needed to be fed-- not even an ID. One soon-to-be high school senior said he has been coming to get free lunches over the summer since he was a kid.
"Around this area we are known as poverty, most of us will have food stamps, food help, and I think this helps us get food access. Kids who are not getting well fed can come here," said Robert Vaca, student.
But the school district and Economic Opportunities Commission, or EOC, want to get the word out and are asking the community to please let anyone who might be in need of these meals to know about their program.
Linda Arredondo, who brought her grand kids, said she only knew about the program because she works for the school district, and said many families don't know about it. She is trying to get the word out too, and even told people in passing on her way to the school.
"This is our little get away from home, we came over here and they're eating their lunch right now."
To make sure no child in the Central Valley goes hungry this summer, there's an easy way to find the closest lunch site.
"They should text 877-877 with the word 'comida,' or the word 'food,' to find the locations nearest to them and the hours," said Rosas.
Summer lunches will be served through August 11th and the Fresno Unified School District and the EOC hopes to feed as many kids as possible this summer.
