D.C. — The Capital Area Food Bank has opened 17 sites across Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland to provide summer meals for children. Families with children aged 18 and under can receive meals at these locations without pre-approval or ID requirements.

Summer break for most students in the D.C. area begins this week. When classes conclude, many families are required to provide at least 10 additional meals each week for every child in their household.

Alexis Lahr, director of Family Government Nutrition Programs at the Capital Area Food Bank, said in a podcast interview that summer is a difficult time for families. "Summer is a really difficult time for families and we've been seeing the need for food assistance not easing up," Lahr said. "We know summer is a particularly difficult time for kids because they lose access to those school meals."

Lahr described the accessibility of the program. "One of the great things of these open sites is there's absolutely no eligibility requirements, no ID check," Lahr said. "Nothing is needed." She added, "I hope that this can be supportive for them."

Regarding meal options, Lahr said, "Some examples that kids really enjoy are healthy versions of chicken nuggets and little Lunchables-style pizzas for them." She noted, "But always with a whole-grain component and a fruit and vegetable alongside it." The Capital Area Food Bank served more than 62,000 meals and snacks last summer. The organization maintains a list of open lunch locations on its website.