Free meals and fun offered at playgrounds this summer
More children served daily on average this year than last
Youth can get free meals and hours of safe outdoor play at parks throughout the district this summer, thanks to Metro Parks’ Summer Playground and free meal distribution programs.
A healthy lunch is served from 12 to 1 pm, Monday through Friday, followed by three hours of staff-led recreational games, crafts, sports and water activities. The free daily summer drop-in program is made for elementary-aged kids and encourages them to stay active in their local community parks, where they can engage with positive playground leaders. The program is offered until Aug. 28 at six parks: Franklin, Portland, South, Verlo, Wapato and Wright, while two additional sites – STAR Center and Titlow Lodge – serve lunches.
Free meals became part of Metro Parks’ summer program about 30 years ago in response to a growing community need. As a sponsor of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Simplified Summer Food Program for Children, Metro Parks is required to meet or exceed all USDA guidelines for healthy meals and meal distribution. Five years ago, a local Subway company was awarded the bid to provide meals as a part of the Summer Playground Program.
“When school is in session, my children eat for free at school, but in the summer I don’t know what we would do without Metro Parks and this program,” one community member told Metro Parks.
This year’s locations were selected based on elementary schools with the highest percentages of children who receive free or reduced lunch percentages. The closest community or signature parks with the necessary amenities to host the program were selected, while historical participation, geographic equity, the presence of other meal providers in Tacoma and other factors also were taken into account. (People’s Community Center, for example, was not chosen this year because of low participation in 2014 and the ongoing construction of the new indoor pool due to open next year.)
Metro Parks is distributing more meals this year than it did in 2014. In June 2014, an average of 724 meals a day were distributed daily across 10 sites. In June of this year, the number was 782 meals – an increase of 60 meals a day despite having two fewer sites. And because of community feedback, the number of playground program time was increased from two hours last year to four this year.
Funding for the Summer Playground and Free Meal Distribution Program is supported by the Metro Parks general funds, Washington State Office of Public Instruction (OSPI), grants and private donations secured through the Greater Metro Parks Foundation.
The Summer Playground program originated a century ago when local police noticed youth hanging around in the streets, apparently with nothing to do. Metro Parks responded by placing recreational leaders in the parks and created an engaging program to give the young people a safe place to recreate and connect with positive adults in their community. The result has been overwhelmingly successful, and the Summer Playground Program has served thousands of children over the years.
“We love our Playground Leaders!” another community member said. “They play with the children every day and know the kids by name.”
The response from community children?
“Coming to the park is more fun with the Playground Leaders,” one participant told Metro Parks. “We get to play soccer, make masks and play games.”
Learn more about the Summer Playground Program and the USDA Meal Program
“We love our Playground Leaders!” another community member said. “They play with the children every day and know the kids by name.”
The response from community children?
“Coming to the park is more fun with the Playground Leaders,” one participant told Metro Parks. “We get to play soccer, make masks and play games.”
Learn more about the Summer Playground Program and the USDA Meal Program