San Diego Parks After Dark serves free hot meals to children at five locations this summer, aiming to provide 15,000 meals.

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Parks After Dark is not only providing free family entertainment but also ensuring children receive hot meals this summer. The program is currently active at the Linda Vista Recreation Center, one of five locations offering meal services to children throughout the month.

During a recent event, participants enjoyed activities such as an inflatable bounce house, face painting, games, and community resources while lining up for dinner, which featured free pizza, milk, and vegetables. 



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“Sometimes during the summer, this is the meal that they get during the course of the day,” said Kim Mathis, Vice President of the San Diego Parks Foundation. “Partnering with Feeding San Diego gives the opportunity to give a hot meal to every kid. It’s a balanced meal.” 

This summer marks the first time the San Diego Parks Foundation and Feeding San Diego are serving hot meals to children. Mathis added, “By providing this meal, we help offset the cost so we can provide more activities out in the park, so everybody wins all the way around on this.” 

Eligible children under 18 receive one hot entrée, vegetables, fruit, and a drink, with meals prepared in partnership with Top Notch Catering. 

“We’re just stepping up, helping the parks out with the meals since we will get reimbursed from the federal government, and so hopefully they can take the funds that they would normally put on food and put it back into enrichment activities for the kids at these events,” Feeding San Diego Director of Programs Sam Duke said. 

Feeding San Diego is reimbursed through the state Department of Education’s USDA federal meal program, the Summer Food Service Program.

Duke stated, “Over the course of July, we’re looking to provide about 15,000 meals to kids across the five locations.” 

Hot meals will be available from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. To view the five locations, visit sandiego.gov