Local organizations pool resources to make sure Sacramento kids have a good meal during the summer months. A picnic at the state capital marks the kick off an ambitious program to serve one million meals during the summer.
Sacramento Assemblyman Richard Pan, also a pediatrician thinks too many kids go without enough healthy food during the summer months. He's brought together a coalition including local school districts, the United Way and others to solve the problem.
"Last year we fed about six hundred thousand kids. We said we need to get a lot more sites so we can reach the kids where they are over the summer," Pan said during the picnic on the west steps of the state capital. "(I) really appreciate all the people stepping up and making this happen."
Those partners include the United Way, California Department of Education, local school districts, Sacramento Public libraries and many others.
Hundreds of local school children came to the capital Tuesday morning to learn about the program and enjoy a free picnic. Kim Frinzell with the Department of Education told the kids it's about feeding the body and the mind. "You get to hang out with your friends, you get to do some fun activities. And you also get to fuel your brain and learn something new so you're ready to go when school's back in session," said Frinzell.
The plan is to serve one million free meals over the summer. For more information: http://sd06.senate.ca.gov/million-meals-summer
Dr. Pan leads children in the Cupid Shuffle on the west steps of the capital.