Summer Foods
Approximately 26,000 Washoe County school children are eligible for free or reduced price school breakfast and lunch during the school year. These valuable school meals provide important nourishment to help get them through the school day, and be more successful students.
Twenty years ago, the Food Bank asked the question "What happens to these kids locally when school is out for the summer?" The Summer Food Service Program began in 1991 as a way to help those children who don't have enough to eat in the summer. To ensure that they get fed, children can come to the park or local community center that is nearest their home weekdays and get a healthy meal. During the summer of 2010, the Food Bank served 60,118 meals at 22 sites around Washoe County. In addition, we distributed 6,294 meals in rural areas through a grant from ConAgra.
The Food Bank works closely with other community organizations to be sure children in most low-income neighborhoods can get a meal nearby. We also help start summer meal programs in rural areas of Nevada.
Children ages 1 to 18 years old receive free nutritious meals. Meals must be eaten on site. This program meets local health department approval. This is a USDA (Summer Food Service) program which is available to all children without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Contact the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for more information at 775-331-3663.