The Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department is joining forces with the School District of Lee County Food & Nutrition Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to host a free “Picnic in the Park” Summer Feeding Kickoff event.

The event will be held at Paul Sanborn Park on Monday, June 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A nutritious lunch will be provided to every child age 18 and younger free of charge. The Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Fun-Mobile will be on site to offer a variety of free games and activities. 

The Summer BreakSpot 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 offered at no cost and there are no income or registration requirements.   

“Kickoff events give us the opportunity to promote awareness of the Summer Meals Program, said Lorina Woods, School District of Lee County Summer Meals Program Coordinator. “In addition to community sites, we partner with youth organizations to provide meals at sites throughout the District.  It creates a sense of community.”

Breanna Gustafson, Marketing Supervisor for Lee County Food & Nutrition Services continued by saying, “We’re excited to be partnering with Cape Coral Parks and Recreation for the Picnics in the Park Kickoff Day. Last year we had a great turnout and it was a good opportunity to educate students and parents on the resources available to them when school is out.”

In addition to the Summer Feeding Kickoff on June 3, a complimentary nutritious lunch will be provided to children up to age 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Paul Sanborn Park and the Cape Coral Fun-Mobile will offer free recreational activities every weekday from June 3-July 26 (closed 7/4). 

The daily menu and activity will be posted on a weekly schedule and posted on the Fun-Mobile website at www.CapeFunMobile.com so families can choose the days that work best for them.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Lee County Food & Nutrition Services to host the USDA Summer Feeding Program at Paul Sanborn 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.”

Paul Sanborn Park is located at 2310 SE 3rd Street 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 or www.CapeFunMobile.com.