Summer meals available for kids in need

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell has announced that economically disadvantaged children may receive free meals during the traditional summer recess at more than 3,200 locations throughout California.

“I am deeply saddened to see so many families suffering through these tough economic times,” O’Connell said. “The home foreclosure crisis and skyrocketing costs for food and gasoline are increasing the number of families who need assistance making ends meet.

“I am pleased that we can help these families stretch their food dollars with two of our summer feeding programs that provide nutritious meals for economically disadvantaged kids and some adults.”

The two Fallbrook area elementary schools that will be serving balanced, nutritious meals this summer are Maie Ellis and Vallecitos (Rainbow).

Both will be offering the Seamless Summer Feeding Option, a federally funded program administered through the California Department of Education’s Nutrition Services Division. The program provides nutritious meals for children as well as fun, safe, supervised activities coupled with learning opportunities.

For the dates the program will be offered, parents may call Sandra McGoldrick at Maie Ellis at (760) 731-4352 or Patricia D. Bell at Vallecitos at (760) 728-7092.

For more information in additional areas, visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/summersites08.asp.