NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Metro Action Commission will continue its Free Summer Food Program again this year for kids from ages six to 18 looking for a healthy meal for breakfast and lunch.
In less than a week the school year ends for thousands of Metro Nashville Public School students.
For many of parents the concerns go from helping get homework done; to how will I provide multiple meals for my child each day.
"I know a lot of people who struggle just to feed their kids and they know when they go to school they are eating two meals a day," said parent Monique Davenport.
She says being a single parent and looking for employment, this growing problem is close to home this year.
"School helps out a lot, but during the summer time it's real hard for me to make ends meet and take care of her," said Davenport.
Making that tough choice of paying a bill or buying healthy food for your kids is a decision Lisa McCrady says no parent should have to make.
Lisa McCrady with Metropolitan Action Commission (MAC) says, "With programs like this families don't have to make those tough choices."
Like many years in the past, MAC, is helping provided thousands of free meals; breakfast and lunch, to kids across the Davidson County.
"If they are in that area and there is a summer food service site and they are there during the times that they serve the meal, they can go in get a meal, sit down in a cool environment, eat the meal and go about their day," said McCrady.
There is no application process or sign-up sheet for kids needing a meal.
As long as there is a need the free food program will provide a nutritious meal with: meat, milk, juices, fruits and vegetables at more than 80 locations across Davidson County.
This is a service parents like Davenport say is a blessing when times are tough.
She said, "I don't want to have to worry about her and what she's going to eat and whether she is going to be healthy or not; so now I have something I can depend on to help me out and her."
The program provides 4,000 to 5,000 meals each day for kids.
Right now there are 82 confirmed food sites, but MAC expects to reach their max which is 110 sites.
The Free Summer Food Program will start June 4th and continue until July 27th.
