Apr 4, 2011 By Antoniia Cekadafor The 3 min read

?A summer food program is crucial for some children in Fayette County.

With that in mind, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has sent consultant Cindy Gilch to Fayette County to help launch the Summer Food Service Program. The program was created to provide free meals to children so they can continue to receive the same nutritious meals during the summer months that they are served in cafeterias during the school year. Currently, Gilch said there are enough sponsors, but the program is calling on more sites to participate.

“Our goal is to provide children under the age of 18 with nutritious food in the summer,” said Gilch.

A 2009 study sponsored by the food bank titled “The Gap Analysis” considered the activities of summer food service programs in 12 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. Results showed that 97 percent of Fayette County children receive a free or reduced-priced lunch. According to the report, only 16 percent of those children received proper nutrition during the summer months. The study also showed that some of those children were only getting one meal a day.

“I had tears in my eyes when I read the report,” said Gilch.

Though any sponsor is welcome, Gilch explained that more sites are needed for the program. Sites can be anything from Bible study groups and day camps to park and recreational activities. An administrator from a site would have to pick up and distribute the food from the sponsor. Sponsors will be reimbursed through the state Department of Education. So far, all but one school district in Fayette County has agreed to participate, she added.

There are other ways to help besides becoming a sponsor, too, Gilch said.

“The sky is the limit to make summer more enriching and nutritional in Fayette,” said Gilch.

For example, a firefighter may donate a day or two to visit the sites and speak with the children, she said. Anyone who would like to contribute is encouraged to provide arts and crafts, games, reading or any other fun summer activity for the children, said Gilch.

Gilch said expanding the program is vital for the 16 percent of children who spend their summer months lacking nutritional meals. Studies have shown that children without adequate food may not learn as well. A 2006 study published in the open access journal PLoS Biology, researchers Michael Fisher, Rudolph Nager and Pat Monaghan found that inadequate nutrition early in life can impair neural development.

Those interested in becoming a program site or to learn more about the program, call Gilch at 412-889-3697.