By Zanub Saeed
Several members of NBA team the Denver Nuggets, Colorado city mayors DiTullio, Hancock and Stephens, an assortment of local government officials, and Walmart teamed up with Share Our Strength and Hunger Free Colorado to ensure that children will receive free breakfasts and lunches in the summer, after the completion of the school year.
The list of those participating in the campaign to get children free meals during the summer, and support the initiative include Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler, Strength and Conditioning coach Steve Hess, SuperMascot Rocky,members of the Denver Nuggets Dance Team, along with USDA Undersecretary Kevin Concannon, celebrity chef Mark DeNittis, and the office of governor John Hickenlopper, listed a press release issued by Share Our Strength on Monday. They will get their local communities and stage agencies to start off the Colorado No Kid Hungry campaign.
"For many kids, summertime means food, friends and fun. For families who count on school breakfast and lunch, however, the summer months can be stressful and family food budgets have to be stretched even further," Gov. John Hickenlooper said for the press release. "This program provides a safe place for children to eat free healthy meals so they can continue to thrive all year long."
Meals will be served to children 18 years or younger who visit a school, either elementary, junior, or high school, as well as churches and community centers, during the months of July and August to get breakfast and lunch for free, as part of the initiative.
"Summer meals programs provide kids the fuel they need to continue to learn and grow in the summer," Hess commented on for the press release. "As an athlete, I know how important it is to stay nourished to stay at the top of my game and that's why I support this important program for kids."
The summer program will stretch out to assist those in parks, apartment buildings, and mobile home parks in the Colorado area, said the press release. The Colorado No Kid Hungry initiative will be promoted through billboards, newspaper and radio advertisements, and handouts given at community centers. Walmart is the lead sponsor of the national Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign.
"Walmart is proud to partner with Colorado's No Kid Hungry campaign to ensure that children are fed through the summer months," Joshua Phair, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Walmart's Mountain Division, was quoted as stating for the press release "For families who rely on meals provided at school during the academic year, this is an invaluable resource. Programs like this are critical in the fight to end hunger."
