This week kicks off the Summer Lunch Program, an event that gives free lunch to kids in need under the age of 18, ensuring they get at least one good meal Monday through Friday – even when school isn’t in session.

The kickoff takes place on Wednesday, June 12 at 12:15 p.m. at Kenilworth Park in Petaluma, on Thursday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Southwest Community Park in Santa Rosa, and on Friday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Alicia Park in Rohnert Park. Each event will include free lunch for kids under 18 (note: all kids must be under parents’ supervision), and kids will be able to enjoy fun activities that include planting lettuce heads, riding the “salsa bike”, and relay races.

This event is a preview of what’s available right now at 46 different Sonoma County locations, Monday through Friday, June 3 through August 9. During the school year, over 30,000 local kids are on the free or reduced lunch program. But when summertime begins, that lunch program stops. This program helps fill the need of many of our local families, offering the kids a healthy, hot meal, as well as giving them fun activities to take part in.

For a full list of site locations for the lunch program, CLICK HERE.

The Summer Lunch Kickoff party and the Hunger-Free Summer Lunch Program are sponsored by Redwood Empire Food Bank and the ConAgra Foods Foundation, and are helped by donations from the community. For more information on how you can take part in the lunch program or help these foundations, visit www.refb.org, or call 523-7900.

See also the article at the Press Democrat’s Live Well Blog for more information on this event.