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On Sunday, June 25th, End Hunger CT! welcomed over 100 community members and 8 different organizations to kick-off the CT Summer Meals program this year. Nearly 40 families in attendance – made up of over 100 individuals and children – were greeted by one of our 10 volunteers directing them to the community partner tables throughout the event space. Kids were able to enjoy activities such as a bouncy house, lawn games, seed planting, educational activity stations and more as parents and family members took advantage of the many resources the event had to offer.
This event was vital in advocating for the federally funded CT Summer Meals program available for all children 18 years of age and younger at no cost to families. Many children rely on food assistance programs during the school year, but EHC! knows that food is necessary to fuel the mind and body year-round. All families across the state should be aware of and take advantage of the free meals that are available to their children all summer long. Hungry kids can’t play; awareness of this program gives children all over the state the opportunity to enjoy just being kids during the summer without having to worry about where their next meal will come from.
A family poses with the CT Summer Meals photo booth on Sunday, June 25.
Families were able to learn more about the community programs available for them and their children while enjoying entertainment from Irish step dancing and live singing. Several key speakers also attended the event, giving inspiring and informational speeches. “We know your kids are running around and playing all summer long, and you don’t have to worry about feeding them! There are hundreds of sites across Connecticut and meals are completely free of charge,” Julieth Callejas, Executive Director, EHC! said. More information about the CT Summer Meals program can be found at CTSummerMeals.org where you can locate a CT Summer Meals site near you. This program is for all children 18 years and younger – no questions asked. We encourage all families to participate in this program all summer long.
Thank you to our speakers and supporters who attended the kick off. You are true hunger advocates!
Organizations Involved
East Hartford FoodCorps
Feel Your Best Self, UConn
SPARC
Put Local on Your Tray
Hartford Healthcare
Boy Scouts of America Pack 61 and Troop 12
OEC Sparkler App
East Hartford Youth Services
VIP Speakers
Julieth Callejas, Executive Director, End Hunger CT!
Brittney Cavaliere, Senior Director of Strategy, CT Foodshare
Saud Anwar, Senator representing East Hartford, Ellington, East Windsor, and South Windsor
Michael Walsh, Mayor of East Hartford
Gladys Mercado, Senior Aide of Constituent Services
John B. Larson, U.S. Congressman (CT-01)
Pictured First: Princess Ariel and Dorothy pose for the camera with an attendee wearing a bright orange CT Summer Meals shirt.
We know your kids are running around and playing all summer long, and you don’t have to worry about feeding them!
Young child gets ready to color a CT Summer Meals coloring page.
About CT Summer Meals
The CT Summer Meals Program is federally funded by the USDA and state-administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). The program provides free, nutritious meals to kids during summer break. Summer Meals meet federal nutrition guidelines and are composed of milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and meat or another protein. Summer Meals are offered at hundreds of sites around the state from June to late August, serving combinations of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Meals are free to any child age 18-and-under, no questions asked. For additional information visit www.ctsummermeals.org. End Hunger Connecticut! conducts outreach for the CT Summer Meals program in partnership with Connecticut Foodshare and CSDE. For event announcements, including sponsor announcements, follow @ctsummermeals on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About End Hunger Connecticut!
End Hunger Connecticut! is a statewide anti-hunger nonprofit dedicated to eliminating hunger and promoting healthy nutrition through outreach, public education and legislative and administrative advocacy in Connecticut. By partnering with national organizations, state and local agencies and leaders, schools and community-based organizations, EHC! enhances the visibility and coordination of federal food assistance programs that are crucial to any effort to improve food security while increasing both family well-being and the amount of federal funding available to the state. EHC! also engages in strategic outreach, capacity building and provides technical assistance on food and nutrition programs to CT residents and community partners. To learn more, visit www.endhungerct.org.
About us: End Hunger CT! works statewide to eliminate hunger and promote healthy nutrition through outreach, public education, and advocacy. EHC! offers SNAP assistance, nutrition program promotion, doubles SNAP at farmers’ markets, and more to help CT residents in need. To learn more about our services, click here.
Have any questions? Contact our Communications Coordinator, Kimberly Nguyen, at knguyen@endhungerct.org.
