By Morgan Greenwood, Program Director
The Fieldstone Foundation has made a big investment in the health of Franklin County youth this summer.
With financial support from Fieldstone — an affiliate of Citizen Advocates — healthy breakfasts and lunches will be available throughout the summer through the Summer Food Service Program. All eligible youth will now have access to free breakfast and lunch at locations across northern Franklin County, beginning July 5. The program aims to provide 18,000 meals at local parks, schools and other locations in Chateaugay, Constable, Malone, Owls Heads, St. Regis Falls and West Bangor.
As the facilitator of the Creating Healthy Schools & Communities (CHSC) program in Franklin County, The Heart Network applauds Citizen Advocates and Fieldstone. So much of our CHSC work emphasizes the impact of healthy, nutritious food on the physical and emotional health of kids and teens — we’re grateful to see one of our community partners making such a bold investment in this arena.
This local work also mirrors recent statewide success on food equity for young people. Earlier this year, New York State passed a budget that included $134 million to fund free school meals for all students, which will impact over 700,000 students statewide. It’s heartening to see leaders locally, statewide and nationally recognize the importance of access to healthy food for the youngest, most vulnerable members of our society.
The Summer Food Service Program runs from July 5 to Aug. 18. Dates of operation vary from site-to-site. We encourage folks to visit fieldstonefoundation.net/free-summer-meals-back-on-the-menu-for-local-youth/ for additional details and a schedule of stops.
Again, kudos to the Fieldstone Foundation — your work will make an immediate and lasting impact on Franklin County youth.
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