As the school year winds down, El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) is stepping up to address food insecurity among local kids with a summer nutrition program kicking off next week. The district's Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is ready to serve healthy, complimentary meals to children between the ages of 1 and 18, and to students with disabilities up to 21 years old who are enrolled in school. According to El Paso ISD, the initiative is part of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), administered in Texas by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
EPISD's effort is vital for the well-being of Texas children, the majority comprised of those who count on school-provided meals during the school year. Laura Duran, FNS Director, emphasized the importance of the program, "El Paso children need good nutrition year-round so they can learn, grow and succeed in life," as per El Paso ISD. With this program, vulnerable young Texans are ensured access to the nutrition they require during the summer hiatus.
Parents and guardians looking to take advantage of the summer meal offerings can start planning, as services are set to begin on Monday, June 9, at various locations. Details on site locations can be found on the EPISD Food and Nutrition Services webpage. The community is urged to utilize all available resources to locate a meal service site, including calling 2-1-1, visiting www.SummerFood.org for a map of sites, or texting FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 for information.
