Summer vacation is usually thought to be a fun and carefree time for school-aged children. However, for those who rely on school-based free or reduced-lunch programs as a main source of food and daily nutrition, summer could easily mean limited meals and growling tummies. Nationwide, 1 in 5 children suffer from hunger. Based on information gathered by Gleaners Community Food Bank, last year in Wayne County, 462,203 people were living below poverty, leaving a total of 350,987 meals missed each day. According to the Southeastern Michigan Hunger Study, 73% of households with children are food insecure, and 65% of children in our region participate in the School Lunch Program.
Many families in Southeast Michigan continue to struggle economically, and food security is at an all-time low. In fact, Detroit has the highest number of children living in areas of concentrated poverty. The impact of food insecurity can be devastating to children and a community. When a child is hungry, or skips meals due to a lack of access to sufficient food, he is not getting the proper nutrition for physical and mental development. This impacts how a child learns, grows, and develops. Without school lunch programs, many of our children would not only go hungry, but also miss out on their potential to learn, grow, and thrive.
To make sure our kids maintain proper nutrition during the summer months, the Institute of Population Health (IPH) started the Meet UP and Eat UP program, a program that provides free lunch to children and disabled adults. Meet Up and Eat Up will provide lunches to children up to 18 years of age and special needs adults up to 26 years of age at sites throughout Detroit.
As a part of the federal Summer Food Service Program, the IPH has partnered with churches, the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Centers, community-based organizations, and arts and sports programs to become sites in the community where children can be fed. The IPH’s Meet UP and Eat UP program has the capacity to serve over 2,000 meals per day at 32 local lunch sites.
The Meet UP and Eat UP program serves lunch daily from 12-1 p.m. thru August 30th. Lunches include one serving each of milk/dairy, meat, grain/bread, fruit, and a vegetable. To help children learn proper nutrition and expand their food choices, children are able to choose from a variety of fruits and vegetables, breads, and wraps.
Summer vacation should mark a time of fun and growth. We must make sure our children are fed and properly equipped to continue their learning and development even when school is out. For more information about locations and times for the Summer Food Service Program and Meet UP and Eat UP, contact the IPH at 313-324-9482. You can also access information on our website at www.ipophealth.org, or visit the IPH at 1151 Taylor Street, Detroit, 48202.
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