Project Bread has awarded $3,497 to the Randolph Public Schools as part of  its local Summer Food Service Programs across the state.

These programs provide free, nutritious meals to area children when school  is out.

Randolph Public Schools estimates it will serve 200 students daily at  Randolph High School this summer. Randolph is one of 21 communities across the  state that will benefit from these grants, which total $133,000 overall.

“The grant will allow us to purchase much needed refrigeration and food  preparation equipment,” said Jack Jones, director of dining services at Randolph  Public Schools. “We are planning on serving more fresh fruits and  vegetables over the summer due to the increased availability of seasonal  produce. With Project Bread’s generous grant we will have the ability to store  more local, fresh produce and prepare it for the students each day.”

Many children rely on school meals, such as breakfast and lunch, to provide  them with the wholesome, nutritious food they need. In the summer months, it is  essential that children continue to receive this food in order to remain healthy  and return to school in the fall ready to learn. All meals are free to children  18 years and younger, no registration or sign-up is necessary at most sites. As  many as 52,000 children across the state will benefit from these meals when the  programs begin in the beginning of July.

Funded by the USDA, the Summer Food Service Program is administered by the  Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. However, these programs need  supplemental funds to expand and implement programming that is fun and safe for  kids, and keeps them coming back.

In Randolph, Project Bread’s $3,497 grant can be used to acquire food  storage and preparation equipment, sports or arts and crafts equipment, even  books — whatever it takes to enrich the programming and increase the number of  children a program serves. Children benefit from this nutritionally, and parents  benefit financially because the free meals help stretch their food budget, and  keep their children safely engaged in fun educational activities.

For information, call 800-645-8333 or visit www.projectbread.org/summermeals.