Holyoke students able to get free meals this summer through Summer Eats program

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Holyoke Public Schools, with the help of Summer Eats, provided meals to students Monday at Heritage State Park.

Many students in Holyoke don’t have access to a kitchen or have a constant source of food outside of school. When summer comes around, Holyoke Public Schools are working to make sure that these students are still being able to eat meals.

“A lot of kids come to school, a lot of times, just for the meals, or that is like huge highlight for them,” said Toni Tirozzi, General Manager of Sodexo.

In Holyoke, about 86% of students in the public schools are in need of food assistance and eat a majority of their meals at school.

Chloe Miller with Project Bread told 22News, “Summer Eats is the most important school nutrition program or child nutrition program that can help feed children for free.”

The program helps any child in the district 18-years-old and younger with meals to try and fill the gap in food security for the youth. The kids are able to enjoy free face painting, merry-go-round rides and different table prizes, but the parents, especially with multiple children, are enjoying a free balanced meal during the summer.

“It helps financially because food is really expensive right now, like you’re spending over $200 on a meal, sometimes especially with a large family like myself. So this is very important for those that are low income and those with multiple children, it helps a lot,” said Erica Williamson of Holyoke.

The meals provided are USDDA compliant and meet all of the nutrition requirements for kids. Monday’s kick off cookout meal included the choice of a hamburger or hot dog with a slice of watermelon, a bag of carrots, a cookie, potato chips and 1% milk.

The Holyoke Public Schools food truck will be at different parks throughout the summer and the best way you can help, spread word and promotion, they said the biggest barrier is finding the kids in need.

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