[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7755]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HIGHLIGHTING SUMMER MEAL PARTNERS INAUGURAL EVENT ON MAY 30, 2015

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2015

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring much-needed attention 
to summer meal programs for food insecure families. A new collaboration 
of community organizations in Lucas County, Ohio called Summer Meal 
Partners is working to raise awareness and increase participation in 
summer meal programs in that county. This group can be a model for 
similar collaborative efforts supporting under-served communities 
around the country. Summer Meal Partners will hold their official 
kickoff event on May 30th of this year.
  Today in Lucas County just eight percent of the 54,135 children that 
are eligible for free or reduced price school meals participate in 
readily-available summer meal support. This support could make a real 
difference in the lives of tens of thousands more families but a lack 
of awareness, transportation and enrichment programming have limited 
participation.
  Families without reliable access to sufficient affordable nutritious 
food face increased health, mental and behavioral issues.
  Hunger undermines a child's ability to learn. Malnutrition and 
vitamin deficiencies also put children at risk for serious and 
permanent problems with attention, cognition and behavior. They 
undermine natural growth and development and lead to compromised immune 
systems.
  With most primary school students on break, the summer can be a 
challenging time for working parents. Relief is available in the form 
of summer meals but only a small fraction of eligible families take 
advantage of this important initiative.
  I congratulate Summer Meal Partners for their important work and for 
their upcoming kickoff on May 30, 2015.

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