Nutritional Development Services (NDS), a ministry of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, is seeking community partners to join its Summer Meals Program. This initiative aims to provide children and youth aged 18 or younger in the Greater Philadelphia area with nutritious meals at no cost during the summer when schools are closed.

Ms. Lizanne F. Hagedorn, Executive Director of NDS, emphasized the importance of this effort: “During the summer months when schools are not in session, our priority is to make healthy meals available to children. This can only be accomplished through community organizations who are willing to distribute meals where children are present. NDS is grateful for any organization that is willing to collaborate in this effort to nourish the children in the Philadelphia area.”

The program operates in various settings such as schools, community centers, playgrounds, camps, parks, and churches. Non-traditional locations like WIC offices, libraries, apartment buildings, townhouse community rooms, and Family Service Centers are also eligible.

Meals provided by the program are delivered daily ready-to-eat with no preparation required. Sites offer breakfast and lunch including whole grains, low-fat milk, protein-rich foods, fruits, and vegetables. All meals adhere to federal nutrition guidelines and meet one-third of children's daily nutritional needs.

In 2024, the Summer Meals Program served 279 sites across Greater Philadelphia and provided approximately 333,000 meals to children. To participate or learn more about the program, interested parties can contact the Summer Meals Hotline at 215-895-3470 option 1 or visit their website.

Federally funded and operated nationally by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program is administered locally by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The USDA prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or retaliation for civil rights activity. Alternative communication methods for those with disabilities can be arranged through relevant agencies or USDA's TARGET Center.

Complaints regarding discrimination can be filed using Form AD-3027 available online or through USDA offices by mail or email.