With schools out, many parents struggle to feed their children throughout the day. The Food Bank is here to help.

When schools close for summer break, many children across Los Angeles County lose access to the free meals they depend on. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is committed to providing food so that no child goes hungry, especially during the summer months. 

Summer can be the most difficult time of year for families facing food insecurity. Without daily school lunches and breakfasts, low-income households often struggle to meet basic nutritional needs. The Food Bank’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) helps bridge this gap by offering healthy meals to school-age children at community centers, summer schools and camps, and youth centers throughout Los Angeles County.

Celebrating its 20th edition, the Summer Food Service Program served over 29,000 pounds of food in 2024. The Summer Food Service Program is a federally funded nutrition program for children facing hunger during the summer months. ­­­­­

Summer Meals Help Create Memories

One of the sites offering a Summer Lunch Program is the City of Commerce’s Bandini Park. There, the Food Bank met with Jennifer, a mother of three children who are all under six years of age. For the last three years, Jennifer has been making it a point to participate in the Summer Meal Program. Not only does it help her take her kids out to enjoy an afternoon in the park, but it also means they’ll receive a nutritious meal at no cost to her. 

“I’m always telling parents about it because they complain about the prices at the grocery store, especially now. It’s so important because they’re not going to be able to run around if they don’t have the energy,” she added.

The LA Regional Food Bank relies on community support to continue its essential work. Whether you donate, volunteer, or help spread the word on social media, your involvement helps fight hunger, including child hunger.