BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A statewide program is providing free meals to anyone 18 years old and under during the summer months while schools are on break.
The program has hundreds of locations across Massachusetts, including in East Boston at the Paris Street Community Center.
Chris Snow is the program supervisor at the Paris Street Community Center, and he explained the background behind Summer Eats.
“We noticed the need when COVID happened, when kids got out of school. There was a huge need [because] kids weren’t eating during the daytime.”
The program began as a way to help children and young people get access to food during the summer when they can no longer rely on getting two meals from school every day.
The Summer Eats program came about through the Massachusetts Department of Education with the help of local school and community meal providers, like Project Bread.
Adoni Gillis is one of the helpers at the Paris Street Community Center.
“It’s extremely important for them to get it for free because sometimes kids are not able to afford the food or there’s not much to eat at home,” he explained.
He added that he helps out at the Center because he knows what it’s like to be hungry.
“Some of us, having been in that place before and been in those circumstances,” can understand the situation facing many young students at the start of summer break, he said.
Discussing the youth who take part in the program, Gillis shared, “You’d be surprised but typically the kids actually thank us and give us a lot of gratitude for giving out the food.”
Gillis recently graduated high school. “It’s important for me to give back where I can,” he said.
The Summer Eats program is available to all youth 18 and under through the end of August, and no ID or registration is required.
WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.
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