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Community Corner

Battling Children's Hunger in Port

Children who qualify can receive free lunch from July 5 through August 20.

Hunger is a problem in Nassau County, even in Port Washington. But from July 5 through August 20, free lunch is available at Salem Elementary School to children who qualify for the free lunch program in school, or are enrolled in approved camp or community-based programs, or both.

Designed to provide meals for children while school is out, the program is part of a larger effort by the Nassau County Department of Social Services' (DSS) Summer Food Services Program and Island Harvest, a nonprofit organization that fights hunger.

"We are very excited about the continued participation of the Port Washington Community Action Council (CAC) in this important program," said Karen Garber, spokeswoman for the Nassau County Department of Social Services. "The program has been helping Port Washington children for over 10 years, ensuring that they can get meals throughout the summer when school is not in session."

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County Executive Edward P. Mangano expects 94,000 meals to be distributed through this program to children 18 years and younger. "We need to do more to ensure our children receive daily nutritious meals throughout the year and that no child in Nassau County ever goes hungry," Mangano stated.

How many Port children will receive free lunches this summer? That's anyone's guess.

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"It depends very much on who chooses to come and take advantage of the program, but we aim to help all the children who come for a nutritious meal," said Carl Dehaney, Jr., special assistant to DSS Commissioner John Imhof. "The children aren't served filet mignon by any means, but they are served a good nutritious meal in regulation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture rules, usually consisting of say a sandwich, a fruit cup, and a milk carton."

For additional information about the program or for the camp and agency schedules, contact Carl DeHaney, Jr. at 516-227-7406.

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