The Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department joined forces with the School District of Lee County Food & Nutrition Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to host a free Summer Feeding Kickoff event at Jim Jeffers Park on Monday, June 4. A nutritious lunch was provided to every child age 18 and younger free of charge, and the new Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Fun-Mobile was on-site from 11 am until 1 pm offering a variety of free games and activities.
The Summer BreakSpot Program, also known as the Summer Food Program, is federally funded under the USDA and, in Florida, administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Participating sites will provide nutritionally balanced meals to all children under 18 during summer vacation when school breakfasts and lunches are not available. Meals are free and there are no income or registration requirements.
“The reason we wanted to do a kickoff event is to engage the children and families we haven’t reached in the past,” said Cheryl Lock, Summer Feeding Coordinator with the School District of Lee County Food & Nutrition Services. “Our goal is to feed more students who otherwise wouldn’t eat during the summer while school is out.”
In addition to the Summer Feeding Kickoff, a complimentary nutritious lunch was provided to children up to age 18 at Jim Jeffers Park from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the Cape Coral Fun-Mobile will remain on-site until 1 p.m. to offer free recreational activities every weekday from June 4-July 27 (closed 7/4)
“We’re excited to partner with Lee County Food & Nutrition Services to host the USDA Summer Feeding Program at Jim Jeffers Park this summer,” said Kerry Runyon, Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Director. “After children enjoy a free nutritious lunch, we believe the activities offered by the Cape Coral Fun-Mobile will serve as a nice supplement to encourage outdoor play.”
Jim Jeffers Park is located at 2817 SW 3rd Lane in Cape Coral. For more details and to find other locations offering the Summer Lunch Program, text “FoodFL” to 877-877, dial 2-1-1 when schools begin releasing for the summer break, or visit www.SummerBreakSpot.org. To get more information on Cape Coral Parks & Recreation and the new Fun-Mobile, visit www.CapeParks.com.
