On Friday August 16, Project Bread and Boston Summer Eats partners from the Mayor’s Office of Food Access and the Greater Boston YMCA welcomed Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley as she visited meal locations in her district, engaging with her constituents and raising awareness for federal and local food resources.

Together with Project Bread, Pressley visited with kids and families, talking and getting to know the children, reading stories and emphasizing the importance of healthy food at the John F. Kennedy family center in Charlestown.

“Sustaining our children with nutritious food year-round is a matter of justice, cognitive development, wellness, and trauma prevention. Without Project Bread and Summer Eats, children in our district who depend on free and reduced price school meals wouldn’t have access to nutritious food during the summer,” said Pressley.  “I am immensely grateful to Project Bread and Summer Eats for not only preventing food insecurity but for keeping our kids healthy – helping students return to school strong and ready to learn,” Pressley said.

Throughout the summer, anyone 18 or under can receive a free meal at any Summer Eats location in Massachusetts. No registration or ID is required and meals are offered in conjunction with activities and educational programming. Summer Eats provides critical nutrition so children in all communities can continue growing and learning when school isn’t in session.

“As our youth in Boston and across Massachusetts begin to return to school, we recognize the importance of making sure all students are prepared. Preventing food-insecurity in the summer is a critical part of that preparation. Reliable access to healthy food in the summer means students are healthy now and reduces the likelihood of experiencing diet-related chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, in the future. We are grateful to Congresswoman Pressley for her commitment to the health of her district and for all residents of Massachusetts,” McAleer said.

Summer Eats feeds 57,000 kids a day but that is only 13 percent of youth who could benefit from the program and below the national average, of 15 percent. Some states achieve up to 30 percent. Throughout the summer, anyone 18 or under can receive a free meal at any Summer Eats location in Massachusetts. No registration or ID is required and meals are offered in conjunction with activities and educational programming. Summer Eats provides critical nutrition so children in all communities can continue growing and learning when school isn’t in session.