Program provides free breakfast and lunch to children in need over the summer: During the academic year, meals at school are an important source of nutrition for students from low-income families. But the food and the need for it don't go away in the summer months.At Rolling Terrace Elementary School in Takoma Park, children under 18 can get a free lunch any weekday. It's one of eight Montgomery County schools with a drop-in summer program to feed disadvantaged youths.
Montgomery officials say demand for the free meals is up 10 to 15 percent this summer, which they attribute to economic troubles. This week, the school system served about 15,000 free breakfasts and lunches a day at 125 sites across the county. Most sites serve children enrolled in programs such as summer camps.
Similar summer meal programs are offered elsewhere in the Washington area.
