PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — When school is in session, kids don’t have to worry about how they’re going to eat because they eat breakfast and lunch at school. But during the summer, it can be even harder to feed your kids.
Luckily, St. Petersburg is running a program this summer that provides free breakfast and lunch to kids under 18.
Takita Cuthbertson, a working mother, said the program has relieved stress for many families.
“Prices are so high it’s hard to provide healthy food for kids,” Cuthbertson said.
Nearly everyone has experienced an increasing grocery bill, but for many families, bills are even higher during the summer when the kids are home from school.
“Food insecurity is very real and we think it’s an issue we’re focused on in St. Petersburg,” Community Enrichment Manager Mike Jefferis said.
The city pays for the free meal program through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Jefferies said each meal is well-balanced and meets nutritional needs.
“If kids don’t have enough to eat, they’re not going to be able to learn and enjoy their summer,” he said.
Click here to see where they are offering free meals.
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