Press Release

• Tweet

June 16, 2004

Just because school is out for the summer doesn't mean Contra Costa families won't have access to the free and nutritious lunches their children have been getting in schools during the school year.

Summer lunch programs throughout the county are making free lunches available to children 18 years and younger, starting in the second half of June until late July or early August.

"During these economically challenging times, parents already struggle enough without having to face the added expense of providing lunch to their children over the summer. The free summer lunches provided by the county's school districts and summer playground programs not only help stretch family budgets but also serve as a source of good nutrition to children," says Gwenn White of Contra Costa Health Services' On the Move With FoodWise nutrition project.

White says the West Contra Costa Unified School District has 39 summer food service sites throughout West County in El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Pinole, Richmond, Rodeo and San Pablo. For the locations of these sites, call 510-234-7897 or go online to www.wccusd.k12.ca.us and click "Meal programs continue during summer." Most sites will run from June 14 until August 13, Mondays to Fridays, times could vary from location to location.

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District is offering free lunches at four sites: Holbrook Elementary School (3333 Ronald Way) and Oak Grove Middle School (2050 Minert Road) in Concord; and Shore Acres Elementary School (351 Marina Road) and Riverview Middle School (205 Pacifica Avenue) in Bay Point. Serving times vary for each site, call 925-682-8000 extention 4124 for more information. The (Mt. Diablo) Summer Lunch Program runs weekdays from June 21 to July 30.

The Pittsburg Unified School District Summer Food Service Program starts June 21 at the Heights, Stoneman and Willow Cove Elementary Schools, Hillview Middle School and Pittsburg High School (Main Campus). Meals will also be served Mondays through Thursdays at the Summer Math Institute in Los Medanos College starting June 14. Call 925-473-4263 for more information.

The Pittsburg Summer Playground Program will be serving free lunch at Stoneman Park, Buchanan Park, El Pueblo, Neighborhood Center, and Senios Center (PSYC). Call 925-252-6985 for more information.

Also in East County, the Antioch Unified School District is serving free breakfast (8 - 8:30 a.m.) and lunch (11:30 a.m. - noon) weekdays at Antioch High School (700 West 18th Street), starting June 24.

# # #