Metro Parks Tacoma was recently selected as one of only 15 program providers across the country to receive a grant from the National League of Cities and Food Research and Action Center as part of their CHAMPS initiative (Combating Hunger through Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs), a national effort to reduce childhood hunger in America.
Additionally, Metro Parks was selected as one of the first to receive state funding to provide afterschool meals for at-risk children through the federally funded Child and Adult Care Food Program. Through the support of these funding partners, Metro Parks' CHAMPS program launched on Dec. 9 to distribute nutritious meals at the Peoples Center (1602 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Way) and Portland Avenue Community Center (3513 E. Portland Ave.) in Tacoma.
Meals are served from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., followed by enrichment activities from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. (excluding holidays) and the program has been funded for operation through Aug. 29, 2014. The locations were selected based on low-income criteria defined by the USDA. No pre-registration is required. Participation is on a drop-in basis, with free meals and activities available for any child up to the age of 18.
"Our goal is simple," said program coordinator Adrienne Chaney. "We want to ensure the health and well-being of Tacoma's children and youth by helping provide them with the necessary meals to reduce hunger and improve access to nutritious food provided in a safe, supervised space where they can enjoy positive childhood experiences."
In addition to nourishment, the program will provide a safe, supervised environment where children will have an opportunity to receive homework assistance, participate in group games, or enjoy arts and crafts activities.
Meal reimbursement will be provided by the USDA through the Office of Public Instruction, while the staffing and program development funding for the program will be provided through the National League of Cities CHAMPS grant. Program meals will be provided by Subway.
To learn more, visit www.metroparkstacoma.org.
