Letters: Hunger doesn't stop in summer
SUMMER has arrived, but hunger doesn't take a vacation. For too many students, the lunch they receive at school is their only meal. And during the summer, many of these young people lose access to regular meals.
SUMMER has arrived, but hunger doesn't take a vacation. For too many students, the lunch they receive at school is their only meal. And during the summer, many of these young people lose access to regular meals.
To address summer food insecurity, the city of Philadelphia provides free, healthy meals to eligible Philadelphians through the summer meals program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and local partners.
Beginning this week, more than 700 summer-meal locations will open citywide, serving delicious and healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks to young Philadelphians.
Any person 18 years old or younger, as well as physically or mentally disabled people enrolled in specialized programs, are eligible. There is no ID requirement and no registration necessary to participate. Just send your child to the local meal site - parks, recreation centers, play streets, churches and more - this summer.
Families can visit phillysummermeals.org for more information or text MEALPA to 877877 to find a location close to home.
It takes a village to raise a child. That is why Philadelphia is making an effort to keep our kids engaged and healthy this summer.
Michael A. Nutter
Mayor
Philadelphia
Back in the USSR
Re: Julie Shaw's article about the Medicare swindling case against Alex Pugman and his wife.
This husband-wife tag team was welcomed into our USA from Ukraine. For five years (that we know of) they robbed Medicare and made millions of dollars. Now that they got caught, Alex is not only a thief, but he became a government rat. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Ercole begged the judge to show compassion while sentencing and went on to say how Pugman was the most exceptional cooperator she has worked with! Ohh, please!
Co-defendant gets 15 years and the Pugmans get one-to-two and they asked the judge to let them serve staggered so one of them would be home with their children! Were they thinking of their children when they were ripping off America?
I guess their American dream was our nightmare!
Send them back to the USSR!
Janice Di Joseph
Philadelphia