Release No. 0219.09
Contact: Office of Communications
(202)720-4623
Printable version
Deputy Secretary Kicks-Off Obama Administration's 'United
We Serve' Initiative
Highlights USDA's Summer Food Service Program That Helps
Feed Hungry Kids During Summer Months
WASHINGTON, June 22, 2009 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan
today took part in the Obama Administration's 'United We Serve' initiative by
serving breakfast to kids at Morgan Day Care in Silver Spring, Md. Merrigan was
joined by Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Earl "Buddy" Hance, and together
they shared nutrition tips with pre-school children at the day care center.
Morgan Day Care participates in USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program and
runs the Summer Food Service Program at nearby Piney Branch Elementary School.
"President Obama's 'United We Serve' initiative is a challenge to all
Americans to participate in building a better future for our country and I
believe that there is no better place to start than working toward his goal of
ending childhood hunger," said Merrigan. "Too many of kids in our country go
hungry over the summer months, and we hope our service today encourages greater
participation in USDA's Summer Food Service Program, which is an important
effort to ensure that all American children have access to healthy, nutritious
food even when school is out for the summer."
USDA's Summer Food Service Program makes a difference in these children's
lives by providing access to nutritious lunches when school is out. While the
National School Lunch Program serves more than 30.9 million students in schools
and residential childcare institutions during the school year, only about 1.4
million children eat a school meal in summer school. USDA's Summer Food Service
Program provides breakfasts, lunches or snacks to approximately 2 million
additional children.
Available at approximately 32,704 meal sites in parks, schools, camps,
churches and other locations nationwide, the Summer Food Service Program makes
resources available to promote healthier lifestyles. Targeted to low-income
areas where 50 percent or more of the students are eligible for free or
reduced-price meals, the program serves up to two meals or one meal and one
snack per day per child.
To learn more information about where local children can participate, call
the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479.
The Obama Administration's 'United We Serve' initiative is designed make
volunteerism and community service part of the daily lives of all Americans to
help build a new foundation of service, one community at a time. The United We
Serve summer initiative begins on June 22 and runs through the National Day of
Service and Remembrance on Sept. 11.
The President's call to participate in this program focuses on four key areas
where everyone can have a continuing impact in their community: education,
health, energy and the environment and community renewal. All Americans can
create new service projects, find service projects in their communities and
share stories about projects that are making a difference, by visiting the
Corporation's website,
www.serve.gov.
Last modified:
06/23/2009
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