Feeding the Gulf Coast, Salvation Army highlight free summer meals for kids

BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV)- For many kids, summer break means time off from school, but for some families, it can also mean losing access to reliable school meals.

Friday, the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Biloxi hosted a special celebration to highlight a program helping keep kids fed all summer long.

Games, smiles, and a free lunch filled the Salvation Army Kroc Center as Feeding the Gulf Coast hosted its community summer meals celebration. Salvation Army Gulf Coast Area Commander Major Paul Egan said, “All summer long we’ve had a great day camp going on for about 120 kids and to make that possible, we’ve had Feeding the Gulf Coast helping us with our food. Every day the kids have good nice lunches because of Feeding the Gulf Coast. Part of my job at the Salvation Army is to make sure needs are met, things like food and Feeding the Gulf Coast is such a wonderful partner with the Salvation Army all the time. They are so much better behaved when they are fed well and Feeding the Gulf Coast makes that happen.”

The event gave children a chance to enjoy activity stations, interactive inflatables, and a nutritious meal while also shining a spotlight on the summer meals program, which provides free meals to anyone 18 and under when school is out of session. Feeding the Gulf Coast Director of Child Nutrition Rebekah Dawson said, “So, when school lets out, they usually have access to those breakfast and lunches during school but our question is where are they getting their meals when school lets out for the summer. So, our goal is to just fill that gap and offer breakfast, lunch and snack free of charge to the kids all summer long from the beginning to end, to allow them to have a fresh nutritious meal to keep them fueled and have fun all summer long.”

Families can visit Feeding the Gulf Coast’s website or use the USDA summer meals site finder to locate the nearest meal distribution location.