Charger Matt Wilhelm MC's Free Kids Lunch Kickoff

Annual Program Gives Free Lunches for Kids 18 and Under

SAN DIEGO -- For San Diego's kids there is such a thing as a free lunch this summer, as the Summer Fun Café opens in locations all over the city, with a big barbecue kickoff coming up on Wednesday.

Kids are invited to bring their parents to the event, scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Skyline Hills Community Park, 8285 Skyline Dr. (92114). Lunch is free for anyone 18 and under -- and at this event only, for adults, too. Matt Wilhelm of the San Diego Chargers will emcee the event.

For the sixth year, San Diego Unified School District is partnering with the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department to bring the US Department of Agriculture's "Seamless Summer Feeding Option" to local children. Nearly 40 sites around the city -- including MCAS Miramar -- will be serving lunch to kids Monday-Friday. For the complete schedule and locations, go to www.sandi.net/food and click on "Summer Fun Café."

"There's no paperwork, no qualifications, just lunch," said Gary Petill, San Diego Unified's Food Services Director. "Good nutrition is very important to a child's growth and parents can be assured that their child is getting a good lunch at their school or recreation center."

The kickoff event will also include a food distribution by the San Diego Food Bank, Z90.3 Radio live broadcast, a nutrition decathlon, inflatable jumper and craft tables.

Other programs are being offered by other school districts in other parts of the county. For information on where a summer lunch program might be near you, call the county-wide information number, 211.