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FREE Summer Meals for Bay Area Kids |
Communities throughout the Bay Area have started free summer meal programs for children. Lunch and snacks are served on weekdays throughout the summer at school and community sites. All children, 18 and younger, are eligible, regardless of family income.
Participating school districts include Antioch, Calistoga, Concord, Fairfield, Richmond, San Francisco, San Pablo and San Rafael, just to name a few. Most meal sites are located at or near schools that have 50% or more students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.
NOTE: Because of funding cuts, many of last year's summer meals sites have curtailed or eliminated service this year. Families should call 2-1-1 for up-to-date information about meal locations, serving times and dates. 2-1-1 can also provide referrals to food pantries and other resources if there is no summer-meal program nearby.
Residents who can't dial 2-1-1 should call 800-273-6222.
For Your Newsletter:
Please encourage the families served by your agency to take advantage of summer meal programs -- cut and paste the article above for your own constituent newsletter.
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| Help for Helpers |
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2-1-1 is a time-saving tool for social workers, clergy, doctors, legislators and other professional "helpers."
Donna Hite, receptionist for Catholic Social Services in Vallejo, refers an average of four callers a day to 2-1-1.
"Most of our clients are in very stressful situations when they call us," Donna said. "While we can provide one or two services -- such as food or utility assistance -- I often refer clients to 2-1-1 to connect with other resources. 2-1-1 is an extremely valuable tool for me, and it gives our clients a sense of hope that 2-1-1 is there to listen and help during these tough times."
In fact, 55% of the people who call 2-1-1 are referred by agency professionals, while 15% of calls come directly from human-service professionals who call to get information to help their clients.
Sherry Tennyson, director of the American Canyon Family Resource Center, said 2-1-1 is very helpful when she receives calls from people outside Napa County.
"While I'm familiar with the resources here in Napa, I'm no expert on what's available throughout the region. So when I get a call from someone in Solano or Contra Costa, it's great to be able to refer them to 2-1-1 and know that they will find services near them."
Learn more: 2-1-1 Bay Area welcomes the opportunity to visit your organization and tell your staff how to effectively use and refer clients to 2-1-1. Call Betty Creary at 415-808-7379 to arrange a 2-1-1 In-Service training.
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Tell five friends
about 2-1-1
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Please encourage your friends and colleagues to use 2-1-1.
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| Host a 2-1-1 workshop |
2-1-1 welcomes the opportunity to visit you and tell your staff and clients
how to effectively use 2-1-1. Contact Betty Creary at 415-808-7379 or bcreary@uwba.org.
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What is 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, toll-free phone number that connects callers with local community services.
2-1-1 is confidential and available 24 hours a day in more than 150 languages. 2-1-1 Bay Area is operated by United Way, Eden I&R, and Contra Costa Crisis Center.
2-1-1 Bay Area is generously supported by Chevron Corporation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, AT&T Yellow Pages and Bechtel.
For more information, visit www.211BayArea.org. |
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