When the school year ends, so do school breakfasts and lunches, leaving a gap for many children who rely on those meals. With rising grocery costs, summer can be especially difficult for families trying to keep their kids fed.
That’s where our summer meals program steps in. Partnering with 30 sites across the region that are open to all kids, we provide free, nutritious, kid-friendly meals all summer long. Thanks to trusted community partners that host these meal sites, we’re able to meet families where they are.
One of those partners is the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), one of our mobile meals bus stops in Northern Virginia and a vital hub for the surrounding area.
During the summer, our mobile meals bus parks outside the center, which is next to both a large residential community and a neighborhood playground. It’s a convenient and welcoming setup that makes it easy for kids to access meals and connect with others.
Rob Rutland-Brown, LCAC’s executive director, sees the enthusiasm for the program firsthand. “There are kids that come shrieking, running to wait in line and get the food,” he says.
The food is served right off the back of the bus, and kids don’t just grab and go. They sit down to enjoy a meal with friends and take part in activities like coloring and crossword puzzles.
“There’s usually a table they set out where they can do art and eat.” Rob says. “It’s really a community-building experience. We have people from all over the world who may not interact on a daily basis, except for that time together getting the food from the bus.”
LCAC, now celebrating 50 years of service, offers more than just food. In addition to its pantry—which CAFB helps supply and which serves more than 300 households each week—they offer a range of programs that support long-term stability. These include job readiness and English language classes, summer camps for kids, and even vehicle repair and utilities assistance.
The food bank also is partnering with LCAC on a kickoff event on Wednesday, June 18th, to celebrate of our summer meals program. That annual event brings together families, community partners, and local leaders in support of summer nutrition. It’s open to the entire community, and will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
We’re proud to work with LCAC and other incredible sites across the region to bring summer meals to the children who need them. Last summer, we provided more than 56,000 summer meals, and we’re on track to serve many thousands more this year.
To find a summer meals site near you, visit KidsMealsDMV.org or ComidasParaNinos.org