More children are getting access to food this summer thanks to an expansion of a local program.
Food Finders Food Bank’s Summer Food Service Program has 39 sites in nine counties this year, compared to 17 sites in four counties in 2011.
All of last year, the effort served about 10,000-meals. The initiative has already served that much this year in just the first month.
The meals are free to any child between the ages of two and 18, regardless of family income.
Of the ten-thousand meals served, about 2,400 have been at the five sites in Tippecanoe County.
Officials say the effort can ensure that no child in the region has to go hungry, which is especially important during the summer when they don’t have access to free and reduced lunches at school.
The Summer Food Service Program is run by the U.S Department of Agriculture and Department of Education.