Free Lunch Program for Allentown Children Continues Despite the Pandemic

NOTE:  The following information was published July 10, 2020. For current COVID-19 information, visit LVHN.org/COVID-19

Many children living with food insecurity rely on school lunches to provide a well-rounded meal. For these kids, summer time means skipping meals and empty stomachs. With that in mind, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Program was created. It’s a federally funded program administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Here in the Lehigh Valley there are about 26 sites offering free lunches. You can visit the Summer Food Service Program webpage to see all the sites near you. For the third consecutive year, LVH–17th Street is one of those sites. Many people have made lunch pick-up a part of their summer routine. “As a foster mom, programs like this are so helpful for my family,” said one community member.

Morrison Healthcare, a Lehigh Valley Health Network food services partner, is assisting with providing the healthy meals, which typically include a sandwich, a piece of fruit and milk. “As a foster mom, programs like this are so helpful for my family,” said one neighborhood mom.

Learn how your children can participate:

When – Children can receive lunches Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. until Friday, Sept. 4.

Where – The program takes place on the front steps of LVH–17th Street School of Nursing building. During inclement weather, lunches will be handed out from the School of Nursing lobby.

Who – Any child in Allentown age 18 or younger is eligible to participate. No registration is required, and no personal information is collected.

COVID-19 safety

Lunches are “grab and go” in compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture and CDC guidelines for safe food handling. Caregivers can pick up lunches on behalf of their children; likewise, children can pick up lunches without a caregiver present.

This program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Program, a federally-funded program administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.