THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 28, 2024 Page 9 Summer Eats Feeds Kids and Teens During the Summer Months Summer Eats Awareness Week is June 24-28 B OSTON – Summer Eats – the Massachusetts Summer Food Service Program – is kicking off across the Commonwealth, providing free meals to all kids and teens, ages 18 and under. In July 2023, over 2.1 million meals were served across over 1,400 sites statewide through the Summer Eats program. Throughout the school year, children in Massachusetts rely on free school meals to meet most of their daily nutrition needs. Summer Eats closes the gap when the school year ends, helping to ensure children and teens continue to grow, learn and thrive over school vacation. Participating meal providers operate and staff meal sites, often in conjunction with activities and educational programming at schools, libraries, local park and recreation areas, and more. This year, summer meal sites are operating a communal model of feeding kids onsite. Grab & Go meals are available in select rural communities. All are welcome. No registration or ID is required. Summer Eats can be accessed in conjunction with Summer EBT, additional funding for groceries while kids are out of school. For more than 20 years, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and statewide food security nonprofit Project Bread have partnered to support meal providers in offering Summer Eats meals to children ASKS| FROM PAGE 4 A: Yes. I’ve been a grade-A student all along, except for physics. I got a B one time: Mr. Fox gave me a B for one semester. I wound up getting an A for the class. Q: What’s the best book you’ve ever read? A: That’s a difficult question. I read at least 50 books a year. I definitely read more when I was younger. In AP Literature, I read eight books a year. I always loved reading. I loved fiction when I was younger. I really like psychological thrillers right now. I have a lot of favorite books. I love “Ace of Spades,” a soin Massachusetts. Throughout the school year, the nonprofit and DESE also partner to expand access to and participation in school meal programs. This year, Project Bread has granted a total of $226,000 to 51 Summer Eats sponsors for their program outreach and capacity-building. During Summer Eats Awareness Week, Project Bread is encouraging community members to help spread the news about this free program statewide. “Last week a mom of two called Project Bread worried about how she’d feed her kids when school lets out,” says Erin McAleer, Project Bread CEO. “She’s not alone. In the summer, many families are forced to stretch exhausted grocery budgets even further. Summer Eats is such an important program because it helps close that gap. Summer Eats meal providers bring the community together and take some of the pressure off of families’ budgets. These local providers go above and beyond to make healthy meals accessible for all kids and teens. Children should spend their summer playing, growing, and enjoying time with family and friends, not worrying about their next meal.” For more information about Summer Eats, including meal site locations, visit www.projectbread.org/ summer-eats, text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304, or call 1-800-645-8333 for help in any language. cial thriller about two students who go to a boarding school. And I really like “All About Love,” By Bell Hooks, a psychological self-help book. Q: What does it feel like to be the top student in your graduating class, particularly to become what is believed to be the first African American Valedictorian in the history of Saugus High School? A: Surreal! It feels good to know that there’s somebody out there in the future that has the sense of representation from looking at my accomplishment and seeing that they can achieve it, ASKS | SEE PAGE 10 Ginnie keeps winning Taekwondo Champion Virginia rooney, 82,from Saugus, takes home the Gold! (Editor’s Note: The following article and photos were submitted by Ivy Muldoon, Media Outreach, Sun Taekwondo Academy of Danvers.) T he Masters at Danvers Sun Taekwondo Academy would like to congratulate their students for their exemplary participation in the 2nd GTA-US Taekwondo Competition held on June 9th at Stoughton High School. STK student Virginia Rooney of Saugus took home the gold for her breaking routine. Ginnie, as she is affectionately known, is 82 years young, and continues to inspire everyone around her. Our very own 8th degree Black Belt, Grand Master Soon Woo Hong, who has the distinction of being both domestically and internationally licensed as a 2nd Class Poom Dan Promotion Examiner through World Taekwondo headquarters, served as the Tournament Director. A total of 11 international referees were in attendance. Mr. Lauralouis presented an Official Citation issued by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy recognizing GTA-US, and State Senator Walter F. Timilty presented a Massachusetts Senate Citation. There were over 1500 people in attendance. Virginia Rooney continues to win championships in taekwondo two years after earning her Black Belt at age 80 when she made history as the most senior student to receive a Black Belt at Sun Taekwondo Academy in Danvers. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Competitors ranged from ages 4 to 82 years. Danvers Sun Taekwondo students brought home 10 gold, 13 J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. silver and 6 bronze medals. Congratulations to all who participated for making us all proud! S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping
10 Publizr Home