Philly Council talks pilot program to feed children during snowstorms

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Philadelphia  Councilman Allen Domb and others look at maps showing potential locations where children could get a meal during a snowstorm.(Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Philadelphia Councilman Allen Domb and others look at maps showing potential locations where children could get a meal during a snowstorm.(Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Philadelphia City Council is talking about finding a way to feed children in need even when snow closes schools. 

Karen Lynch of the Philadelphia School District, which provides millions of meals annually to students, said a program is already in place for some students. 

Kids in need regularly take home food ahead of time in their backpacks, she said.

“To be able to send kids home once a week, once every other week, with a supply of food means they will have food over the weekend and there would be food in the household,” Lynch said during a hearing before City Council Monday.

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The Family League of Baltimore’s program director said that group fed children in several locations during the most recent blizzard.

“We were able to develop a tiered system of serving at our recreation centers and some schools,” said Melissa Moore. “It wasn’t finalized, it was trial by fire in the storm.”

Philadelphia City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell said she hopes the hearing will be the beginning of a pilot program in the city.

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