Lowcountry Food Bank offers summer youth food program

Author:

Robin Gibson

June 22, 2020

By Robin Gibson

TheLowcountry Food Bank(LCFB) is participating in the Summer Food Service Program providing meals to children 18 years old and younger without charge. Acceptance and participation requirements are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. The program is set to tentatively run from June 8, 2020 – August 14, 2020.

Food distribution days and times can be found atlowcountryfoodbank.org/findhelp.

Distribution sites

Meals will be provided at the following locations:

Armory Park Community Center, Charleston Farms Community Center, Felix Pinckney Community Center, Ferndale Community Center, Gethsemani Community Center, Highland Terrace Community Center, Jeanene Batten Community Center, Midland Park Community Center, Miner Crosby Community Center, Northwoods Park Community Center;

Perry Webb Community Center, Raymond Buck Miller Community Center, Thomas M. Evans Community Center, Genesis Playground, Johns Island Rural Housing, St. James Bethel AME Church, Marsh View Place Apartments;

Summerville YMCA Oakbrook, Summerville YMCA Ponds, Edisto Branch Library, McClellanville Branch Library, St. Paul’s Library, Lyfe Fit Wellness, Charleston Community Impact & Harvest Pointe Child Development Center and Seven Farms Apartments.

You can also text "Food" or "Comida" to 877-877 for meal sites.

Filling the gap

The LCFB Summer Meals Program serves children who face hunger during the summer when school meals are not available. During the school year, theNational School Lunch Programtypically plays a pivotal role in fighting childhood hunger.

Nearly 80% of children who attend public school on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Many of these children dread the last day of school because they will face a summer of hunger instead of fun.

The summer meals are prepared in LCFB's Zucker Family Production Kitchen as well as five partner sites, including its Pop Up Picnic Programs on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands that provides mobile grab-n-go meals.

The program ensures they receive a nutritious lunch, breakfast and fresh produce throughout the summer totaling more than 6,000 meals and 3,000 pounds of fresh produce.

Sites are chosen based on accessibility and capacity to serve those who need meals the most.

Public school partnership

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, South Carolina public schools rolled out new distribution methods to provide meal access to schoolchildren since the school year ended early, working closely with the 10 coastal South Carolina school districts to fill gaps where needed. The Summer Meals Program is always crucial to ensuring that children receive access to food when school is not in session, and 2020 is no exception.

The Summer Meals Program enables the LCFB to provide year-round hunger relief services to children in our community. During the school year, the LCFB partners with public schools to provide essential meals to children and their families through the BackPack Buddies, Kids Café and School Pantry programs.

Families are also able to receive food assistance at faith-based and non-profit organizations that partner with the LCFB.

Civil rights

In accordance with Federal civil rights law andU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through theFederal Relay Serviceat (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) online at:ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html,and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.

To request a copy of the form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email:program.intake@usda.gov.

About Lowcountry Food Bank: Feed. Advocate. Empower.

The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributed more than 32 million pounds of food in 2019. The Lowcountry Food Bank helps fight hunger by distributing food to nearly 300 partner agencies including soup kitchens, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank advocates on behalf of those who experience hunger and helps empower people to make healthy and nutritious food choices.