Sodexo Provides More than 13,000 Free Summer Meals in First 10 Days at Richland School District Two

New summer meal site and enrichment activities engage more youth and drive participation
Jul 11, 2016 3:10 PM ET

GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 11, 2016 /3BL Media/ - Sodexo, the world leader in Quality of Life Services, announced today that the summer meal program at Richland School District Two kicked-off successfully this year, serving more than 13,000 meals to youth in the first 10 days. The district’s Food Service Program, operated by Sodexo, is again providing free meals to youth in the county where nearly 1 in 5 kids is at risk of hunger.

New this year, the district has partnered with Richland Library to bring the Learn Freely Bus to Hunter’s Way Apartments. Inside, kids can make crafts, settle in for story time and even play educational video games. The site is also the first stop of the new Sodexo Food Truck.

“The summer meal program here is another great example of the work that can be accomplished with a strategic approach to partnerships,” said Sodexo spokesperson, Steve Cox. “In the first 10 days of the program at Richland School District Two, we saw 13,774 meals – to include breakfast, lunch and snacks – served at 17 locations around northeast Richland County.”

Sodexo is a leading provider of facilities management and food service operations to nearly 500 school districts across North America. Every day it serves more than 2 million meals to students when school is in session.

In addition to hunger relief efforts like those in Richland County, Sodexo also operates Feeding Our Future® nationally, an 8 to 12 week summer food program started by Sodexo in 1997, which has served 4.5 million free summer meals. Feeding Our Future engages Sodexo employee volunteers and partners with community organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, local hunger relief organizations, as well as clients and suppliers to provide free meals to children.

The food service provider for Richland School District Two is also a partner in First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative to end childhood obesity, and is committed to taking measurable sustainable actions that ensure a brighter future in the areas of health and wellness, environmental stewardship and community development. The company focuses on nutrition, achievement, environment, community and activity to promote student well-being.

Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.

Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.