BPS holds annual event celebrating summer meals program
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- During the school year, the Buffalo Public School District serves 29,000 meals to students every day -- and that need doesn't just go away when school's out.
"If anybody's hungry, there's really no reason why they can't come down to any location and get a free meal," said Ruth Conner, the director of food service for the Buffalo Public School District.
The district has a program that provides around 9,600 free meals every week to students over a six-week long period.
"At this stage of our economy, everything is so expensive and if we can be part of helping alleviate some of that pressure at home, please come and accept meals that are available for your children throughout the summer," said Conner. "We all understand that there's a high need going on right now and we're here to help."
Conner said that for more than a decade, they've held an annual event to celebrate the program. This year, they partnered up with the American Dairy Association, Buffalo police, and Ryan Van Demark with the Buffalo Bills.
"As a little kid, I always dreamed of meeting Eli Manning or Tiki Barber, so just being here, being a presence for these kids and talking about nutrition and how they should fuel their bodies is an honor," said Demark, an offensive tackle with the Bills.
During Thursday's event at MLK Park, they served 175 meals.
The free meals program runs through August 15. For more information about the free meals that the Buffalo Public School District is providing for children 18 years old or younger, visit their website here.