News Summary
In San Antonio, schools are stepping up to combat food insecurity during summer months by offering free meals to children aged 18 and under. This program allows families to ensure their children receive nutritious food even when school is not in session. Locations like Murnin Elementary School are key providers, with no enrollment needed. Parents express gratitude for the program, highlighting its importance in supporting their family’s financial challenges and promoting healthy routines for their children. The initiative reinforces community support in ensuring no child goes hungry over the summer.
San Antonio, Texas – In an effort to address food insecurity during the summer months, schools in San Antonio are providing free meals to children aged 18 and under. As many families struggle to meet their nutritional needs after school closes for the year, these summer meal programs play an essential role in supporting the community.
Schools act as vital providers of meals for families throughout the academic year, serving breakfast and lunch to students. The summer meal programs ensure that children continue to receive nutritious food during the long break, regardless of whether they are enrolled in a particular district or school. This initiative aims to combat the food shortages that many families experience when school is not in session.
Murnin Elementary School, located in the Northside Independent School District, is one of the locations where these free summer meals are made available. The program allows parents and guardians an opportunity to ensure their children receive at least one meal a day, alleviating some of the financial pressures they face during the summer months.
For families struggling to make ends meet, these summer meals are critical. Jessica Robles, a mother of two, highlights how important the meals are for her family’s overall well-being. Meanwhile, Quirina Dehoyos, a mother of three, articulates the ongoing challenges her family faces financially, which underscores the necessity of access to free meals. Additionally, Cynthia Garcia, who has four children, notes that the summer meal program provides a structured routine for her children, which is important for their development.
Aimee Metzger, who serves as the registered dietitian and special diets coordinator for Northside ISD, emphasizes that the community can access these meals without needing to be enrolled in any specific school. This open access is crucial for families visiting different locations as they navigate their day-to-day lives in the summer months.
Similarly, the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) also extends its offerings by providing free breakfast and lunch to all children during the summer. This initiative reflects a comprehensive approach to ensuring no child goes hungry when school is out. Parents and guardians of SAISD students are able to purchase meals for a nominal fee of $5.50 if they wish to participate.
Brenda Williams, who has dedicated 32 years to serving meals at Japhet Elementary School, notes that the menu includes engaging options like “walking tacos,” which appeal to children. The meals are designed to be both nutritious and appealing, encouraging students to participate in the program. Williams conveys the emotional fulfillment she experiences from ensuring that children do not suffer from hunger, highlighting the program’s significance to the community.
According to Kimber Dillon, the executive director for child nutrition at SAISD, these summer meals are especially crucial for children who may lack adequate food access at home. With many families facing economic hardships, the meals represent a vital resource that supports their children’s health and growth during a time of year when food scarcity is more prominent.
The summer meal programs in San Antonio exemplify community involvement and support for families dealing with food insecurity. As schools continue to provide these essential services, they help bridge the gap that often exists between school meals and home resources, ensuring that no child goes hungry during the summer months.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT: Free Meals for Children in San Antonio
- Axios: San Antonio Food Bank Initiatives
- Fox San Antonio: Free Summer Meals Announcement
- Express News: Editorial on Summer EBT Veto
- KENS5: Ensuring No Child Goes Hungry
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
