NEWS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
COURT HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA., BOX 311, 19404-0311
PHONE (610) 278-3061 FAX 278-5943
COMMISSIONERS:
JAMES R. MATTHEWS, Chairman, JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Vice Chairman, BRUCE L. CASTOR, JR, Commissioner
RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY 07/24/08 PR#08-24
Food Resources Available to Children and Families In Need During Summer Months
NORRISTOWN — Children and families in need have a variety of food resources available to them during summer months when children are out of school and the free or reduced-cost lunch program is unavailable.
The quickest and easiest way to access a host of resources is to call the Montgomery County Health Department at 610-278-5117, press 0 for the receptionist and ask to be directed, or visit the health department’s web page at
www.health.montcopa.org.
We know that 15,142 (15.5%) public school children in Montgomery County qualified for free or reduced-cost lunches this past year. We also know that Catholic Social Services provides breakfast/lunch or lunch/snack to over 1,500 children at 27 sites in Montgomery County daily.
Personal Navigator, a program of the Visiting Nurses Association, has provided assistance to 1,000 families, half of whom required nutritional assistance and food stamps provided through the Pennsylvania Public Assistance offices serve 8,800 children in Montgomery County. (17,000 children, parents and other adults receive food stamps in the County)
Community food cupboards provided through CADCOM and other community and faith based organizations also serve those in need.
The Montgomery County Commissioners have directed their staff and partner non-profit agencies to develop an outreach program for next summer to the families of children who qualify for free or reduced-lunch program to make sure they receive whatever aid is available to them.
In the meantime, County staff will work to ensure there are adequate food supplies at the cupboards and promote the availability of food stamps.
