Philadelphia Housing Authority meals program begins Monday [updated]

The Philadelphia Housing Authority is starting its summer meals program Monday.

It’s meant to fill the gap for families whose children rely on school lunches.

Philadelphia Housing Authority Executive Director Kelvin Jeremiah says PHA is hoping to serve more than 43,000 nutritious meals this summer to kids from 3 to 18.

“So many of our families are living in poverty and living at locations where they don’t have access to good healthy meals,” Jeremiah said. “So PHA is going to be doing it’s part to help our residents, our children, during the summer school vacation when they don’t have access to good healthy meals.”

The housing authority will be paying for the majority of the food out of its budget, he said.

“This year, we are spending nearly $265,000 of our own money, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is adding $100,000,” he said.

The program will operate at 20 PHA sites throughout Philadelphia. The Department of Parks and Recreation will also offer similar meals at 150 sites throughout the city.

In addition to PHA’s sites, there are more than 1,000 sites in Philadelphia that offer free summer meals for kids and teens. No registration or ID is needed in most areas of the city, and there are no income requirements.

To find their nearest site, families can call the Philly Summer Meals Hotline (855-252-MEAL) or text “MealPA” to 877877.