Free summer meal program for youths underway at seven Cape Coral parks
Cape Coral Parks & Recreation, in collaboration with the School District of Lee County and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, kicked off its Summer BreakSpot free meal program last week.
The city and the school district have offered the free meals as part of the Summer BreakSpot program for more than 20 years.
The number of parks at which children and teens ages 18 and under can enjoy no-cost weekday lunches has expanded this year from four to seven park locations across the city.
The new parks this year are Jim Jeffers, Crystal Lake Park, and Jaycee Park. The parks are chosen based on local needs.
Now through July 29, lunches will be available at the following parks except for June 19 and July 3, dates on which no meals will be served:
• Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Court: Breakfast: 8:45 – 9:30 a.m. Lunch: Noon – 1 p.m.
• Del Prado Linear Park, 1222 N.E. 16th Place: Lunch: 11 a.m. – noon
• Gator Trails Park, 3612 Garden Blvd.: Lunch: 11 a.m. – noon
• Paul Sanborn Park, 2310 S.E. 3rd St.: Lunch: 11 a.m. – noon.
• Jim Jeffers Park, 2817 S.W. 3rd Lane: Lunch: 11 a.m. – noon
Beginning this Monday, free lunches will also be served at Jaycee Park, 4215 S.E. 20th Place from 11 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.
As with the other parks, no meals will be served on June 19 and July 3.
Last year nearly 18,000 meals were served at six locations.
The William B. Austen Youth Center and Eagle Skate park served 9,324 meals; Four Freedoms Park served 4,324 meals; Lake Kennedy Community Park served 2,500 meals; Gator Trails Park served 766 meals; Del Prado Linear Park served 544 meals, and Paul Sanborn Park served 486 meals.
In addition, seven-day meal kits are available at one location, providing a week’s worth of breakfast and lunch to support families who cannot attend daily sites.
That location is Crystal Lake Park, 4307 N.W.. 36th St., (Mondays only): Seven-day kits: 8 – 9:30 a.m.