Over 1,100 kids get free breakfasts and lunches this summer through Long Island Cares
This summer, they're delivering to 19 different organizations, including Pronto of Long Island.
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The cost of groceries continues to strain household budgets. Parents are struggling with their kids home for the summer.
Long Island Cares is helping families ease the financial strain through their Summer Food Service Program.
"Approximately 1,100 children are getting breakfast and lunch every week," said Samantha Somers with Long Island Cares. "The goal is to provide nutritious breakfast and lunch meals to children who most likely rely on the free meals and reduced meals from the school systems."
The truck that delivers the meals is always on the road, delivering to summer camps and programs all over Long Island.
"They don't have to worry about what their kids are going to have for breakfast or lunch," Somers said.
The group is delivering to 19 different organizations this summer, including Pronto of Long Island.
One location they deliver to through the program, the Middle Country Library in Centereach, is open to the public. For the other locations, kids must be enrolled in the summer program there to get the free meals.
"Many families are struggling. This is a real situation on a daily basis, kids are telling us. When they come here, they're super excited," said Elizabeth Cordero with Pronto of Long Island.
For Pronto and parents, having the additional support goes a long way.
"It helps a lot. They deliver a lot of stuff here for the children," Bay Shore resident Georgia Plummer said.
Long Island Cares says the program is federally funded.
