FEATURE HUNGER DOESN'T TAKE A SUMMER VACATION Mapping a plan to provide free food to kids all summer long F BY MARC RITTLE United Way of the Lehigh Valley or kids, summer should be a stress-free time filled with fun, laughter and adventure. But many children and teenagers spend the better part of June, July and August wondering where they'll find their next meal. "In the Greater Lehigh Valley, only three to five percent of the kids who receive free- or reduced-cost lunch or breakfast during the school year access a summer meal program. Our long-term goal is to increase that number to 40 percent," remarked Susan Dalandan, coordinator of the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council. "Parents face choices between paying the electric bill, purchasing medicine and buying food. If we can help families by feeding kids in the summer, we can really take off some of the pressure." In Lehigh and Northampton Counties, there are more than 100 places that kids can go for free summer meals. Some sites require pre-registration. "No child or teenager should ever go hungry. That's why we're working with approximately 100 partners through the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council to ensure free meals are available 10 Lehigh County Health & Medicine | SUMMER 2018