Post Date: 06/19/2018 4:00 PM

City of Wilmington, USDA and Delaware Department of Education offer FREE, nutritious meals to City youth

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Parks and Recreation Director Kevin F. Kelley, Sr., said today the City is again partnering this summer with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) on the City’s annual Summer Food Service Program. The program provides nutritious meals to underserved youth in Wilmington and New Castle County during the summer months. It began yesterday and will run through August 24, 2018.

Provided to all children without charge, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, the meals are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at 18 different City and county parks between the the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., in accordance with a State-approved menu.

“This is an incredibly important program that last year provided more than 3,000 daily meals to young people in Wilmington and surrounding areas,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Our goal is to expand the food services program by 10% so that we reach more children on a regular basis throughout the summer.”

The food program is offered to various agencies, youth organizations, summer camps, housing complexes, community centers, parks and faith-based organizations. It is a federal program of the Food and Nutrition Services, funded by the USDA. The program has a goal of ensuring that no child goes hungry throughout the summer.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for food program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (566) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Fax: (202) 690-7442.; or

The City of Wilmington is an equal opportunity provider. For more information about times and locations, or to become a participating site in Wilmington or New Castle County, please contact the Wilmington Department of Parks and Recreation –Youth and Family Services Division—located at 500 Wilmington Avenue, at (302) 576-3810, or email Nicole Adams at nradams@WilmingtonDE.gov.

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News and information from the Office of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki

John Rago

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Communications

Mobile: (302) 420-7928

Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov

Paul Ford Jr.

Communications Specialist

Mobile: (302) 530-2171

Email: plford@WilmingtonDE.gov



Dan Sanchez

Digital & Social Media Manager

Mobile: (302) 605-0026

Email: dsanchez@WilmingtonDE.gov