July 25, 2007
As a local sponsor of the Summer Food Program, Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia makes free meals available to children when school is not in session. The program is a hit with parents whose children enjoy the nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack foods. Christie Ritter's two young children visit the program at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in West Philadelphia. "My 4- and 6-year-olds love the meals," she said. "They like everything, but the carrots with ranch dressing are their favorites."
In response to violence in our city and region, NDS is using peace as the theme for the summer program. The agency, which provides food and nutritional services to people from every walk of life, is encouraging each of the 603 groups participating in the program throughout the five-county area to include peace-building activities at their sites this summer.
NDS announces two special peace-themed celebrations on Thursday, July 26, 2007 for children participating in local food programs:
9:30 a.m.
Caln Elementary School
3609 Lincoln Highway
Thorndale, Chester County
Performance by Summit Children's Program and School of Dance Arts
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Summit Presbyterian Church
6757 Greene Street
Mount Airy, Philadelphia
NDS supports summer food programs at various sites throughout the season. On July 26, for example, NDS will deliver lunches to 507 sites and provide 42,367 meals, including more than 23,000 lunches. To date, NDS has served 793,000 meals this summer. The figure represents an increase of about 10 percent more meals than last year.
Editor's note: For more information, contact Anne Ayella at 215-895-3486 x 717 or by e-mail at aayella@ndsarch.org.
Contact
Matthew Gambino
Associate Director
215-587-3747