Free food program for children kicks off in Sharpsburg

A free summer food program launched this week in Sharpsburg and it is free and open to anyone 18 and younger.

No registration is required.

The program is hosted at Sharpsburg Family Worship Center, 610 Clay Street.

“Summer breakfast and lunch provides free food to our wonderful children and teens throughout the summer for kids that are hungry,” Jamie Horne, outreach director, said.

“We are thankful to the local food bank and our site supervisor Debra Ostronic, who is running the program.”

Specifically, the program is provided through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Breakfast is served from 9 to 10 a.m. weekdays, and is followed by lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m.

There are several volunteers that have signed on to help the program run smoothly, including high school students and teachers from Fox Chapel Area School District.

Horne said there are no income limitations to receive the free meals each day.

“Anyone can stop by and grab a quick breakfast and a hot lunch,” she said.

The event has proven successful over the 15 years that Family Worship has hosted it, not only for the food but for the socialization, Horne said.

More than 120 children a week stop at the site for sandwiches, yogurt and fruit, and to hang out with friends, she said.

The program is meant to fill in the summer gaps for children who typically receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch at school.

It runs through Aug. 16 and is available at dozens of locations throughout the county, including Etna and Millvale.

For more, visit sfwc.org.