Expect More Healthy Kids Summer Meals Events

HARTFORD — For many children who depend on school breakfast and lunch programs, no school means no food. Hunger is most critical during the summer season, and in Greater Hartford, 1 in 6 kids struggle to get the food they need to stay strong and healthy.

This year, FOX61 Expect More HOPE and Panera Bread are partnering with Greater Hartford’s food bank, Foodshare, for Expect More Healthy Kids events.

A part of USDA’s federally funded Summer Meal program, Expect More Healthy Kids will give children 18 years and younger the opportunity to participate in basketball, baseball, track and other sports events throughout the region.  After each event, a healthy free lunch will be provided for all participants. No paperwork or pre-registration required.

Learn more about the Summer Meal program here and see a full list of this summer’s events below:

• Mondays @ East Hartford High School in East Hartford
  (869 Forbes Street) 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
  July 10^th Track & Field, July 17^th Baseball, & July 24^th Food Fun.

• Tuesdays @ Parker Memorial Community Center in Hartford
  (2621 Main Street) 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
  July 11^th Basketball, July 18^th Baseball, July 25^th Food Fun, & August 1^st Track & Field.

• Wednesdays @ Slade Middle School in New Britain
  (183 Steele Street) 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  July 12^th Basketball, July 19^th Baseball, July 26^th Food Fun, & August 2^nd Track & Field.

• Thursdays @ Arroyo Recreation Center in Hartford
  (30 Pope Park Drive) 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
  July 13^th Basketball, July 20^th Baseball, July 27^th Food Fun, & August 3^rd Track & Field.

• Fridays @ Bristol Public Library in Bristol
  (5 High Street) 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
  July 7^th Track & Field, July 14^th Basketball, July 21^st Baseball, & July 28^th Food Fun.

• Championship Event @ Parker Memorial Community Center in Hartford
  (2621 Main Street) 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  Saturday, August 5th

Want to help in the movement? All summer, for every delivery Panera Bread makes to your home or office, twice the meals will be donated through Foodshare to kids who really need it. Visit delivery.panerabread.com to get started and help fight hunger in Connecticut!

FOX61 Expect More Healthy Kids is presented by FOX61 Expect More Hope and Foodshare in partnership with Panera Bread!