Mayor Thomas G. Ambrosino Receives Grant for Better Summer Meals at Garfield Magnet School

Project Bread distributes $10,000 to Revere summer programs

July 23, 2008 —As gas and food prices spiral upward, Thomas G. Ambrosino, mayor of Revere, got relief for his city when he accepted a check for $10,000 from Project Bread during a visit to the summer meals site at the Garfield Magnet School.

This site is one of several schools and parks in Revere where children and teenagers under 18 can eat as a result of the Summer Food Service Program, funded by the USDA and prepared by kitchen staff at the Revere Public Schools. Revere is one of five communities throughout the state piloting Project Bread’s “Better Summer Meals” program, which features cutting-edge nutritional menus offering fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy products. The Garfield Magnet School was given a grant specifically to follow Project Bread’s nutritional guidelines, which were developed in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health.

“Helping low-income families gain access to nutritious food is fundamental to our mission,” said Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread. “This program introduces low-income children to quality nutrition that will help promote better lifelong eating habits.”

At today’s “hot weather” lunch, kids munched on whole wheat cheese pizza, carrots, assorted fruit, and 1% milk. “We find that the kids actually love the healthy meals that we’re serving at the Garfield School, especially the salads and the whole wheat wraps,” says Pauline Lyons, Summer Food Service director at Revere Public Schools.

The grant from Project Bread ensures that there is sufficient outreach so that the food reaches as many hungry Revere children as possible. The money also helps to purchase equipment critical to prepare and transport the food to the programs, picnic tables, grills, arts and crafts supplies, and swings.

“With the high costs of food and gas this summer, we want parents to take advantage of free summer food and fun programs such as this one at the Garfield Magnet School,” says Parker. “If Revere children and youth eat the free lunches at sites in the city this summer, it would definitely save families the cost of those meals. With three kids, that can run a minimum of $9 a day or $45 a week. Parents can then apply that savings to a nutritious evening meal for the entire family.”

Mayor Ambrosino agrees: “The Summer Food Program is so important to Revere children and I hope that Revere families continue to take advantage of these sites. They are a smart resource at any time and especially now when food and fuel prices are high. I appreciate Project Bread’s leadership in helping to provide children healthy meals through the Better Summer Meals Program during the summer and through the Better Breakfast Initiative throughout the school year.”

Project Bread’s goal is to strengthen the nutritional safety net for Revere children, who are out of school and not receiving school breakfasts or lunches over the summer. To accomplish this goal, it works with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which administers the Summer Food Service Program.

Parents who want more information about where their children can access free meals in Revere this summer can call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 or visit www.meals4kids.org.

As the leading statewide antihunger organization Project Bread is providing a total of 54 grants this summer, amounting to $225,900. They will be given to a wide range of local organizations, including Boys and Girls Clubs, community centers, school- and playground-based programs, church programs, and YMCAs. Communities receiving Summer Food Service Program Incentive Grants from Project Bread this year include: Boston, Brockton, Cape Cod, Chelsea, Fall River, Fitchburg, Gloucester, Greenfield, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, North Adams, Orange, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, West Springfield, Westfield, and Worcester. Project Bread’s hunger prevention work is supported by the Governor and the State Legislature.

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About Project Bread
As the state’s leading anti-hunger organization, Project Bread is dedicated to alleviating, preventing, and ultimately ending hunger in Massachusetts. Through The Walk for Hunger, the oldest continuous pledge walk in the country, Project Bread provides millions of dollars each year in privately donated funds to 400 emergency food programs in 126 communities statewide. Project Bread also advocates systemic solutions that provide food to hungry families in everyday settings. With the support of the state’s legislature, the organization has invested millions in grants to community organizations that feed children where they live, learn, and play. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org.