For release June 30, 2004
Contact: Holly Wilkalis, 503-963-2292
Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force

"I'm Hungry! When's Lunch?"
Schools Offering Free Summer Meals For Portland Area Children

Portland, OR - Parents who are stumped about how to respond to the common summertime complaint, "I'm bored and I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat?" now have an answer, courtesy of Portland Public Schools and the Parkrose School District. From now through August, they will be offering free meals at more than 70 parks, schools, pools, community centers and other child-friendly locations throughout the two districts. The meal program is made possible through a partnership between the school districts, Portland Parks and Recreation, SUN Community Schools, and other local partners.

For the location and meal times of the sites nearest you, call Oregon SafeNet at 1-800-SAFENET (723-3638). All children and teens aged 1 through 18 are welcome. No application is necessary. Sites are open to any child who wants to participate, serving children on a first-come, first-serve basis, and some will offer breakfast as well as lunch. Your local site may offer fun activities such as games, swimming, and arts and crafts along with the free meals.

Holly Wilkalis, Program Coordinator for the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force, explains that the districts and their partners are offering a valuable resource for local families. "This program can be a huge help for families who are trying to stretch a limited food budget. It also gives parents, kids, and teens a chance to get outside, meet other people in their community, and just plain have fun."

Katie, age 12, agrees. A regular participant at a park in SE Portland, she explains what she likes best about the program. "Meeting new people when my school friends are away on summer trips. We get to eat outside together and play games with each other that we might not get a chance to play without this program."

Funding for the meals is provided by the USDA's Summer Food Service Program. For the locations of other summer meal programs throughout Oregon, call 1-800-SAFENET (723-3638).