Low income families receive healthy food options during crisis
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – PARC, in collaboration with the Metz Culinary Management, is offering curbside meals to children at The Discovery Learning Center following school closures for coronavirus concerns.
Each year, PARC’s inclusive Discovery Learning Center provides services to children with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities through programs like preschool, respite services, behavioral services and early intervention services. They have temporarily closed their doors on many of these programs due to growing coronavirus concerns and families are left searching for resources, including healthy meals.
Many of the families PARC serves through The Discovery Learning Center are living below the poverty level and rely on the meals provided to feed their children each day. Once school closures were put in place, PARC’s Management was swift to grant permission to launch the program and families were immediately called to determine needed quantities. PARC has since set up a meal pick-up site at The Discovery Learning Center each Monday and Wednesday from 10:30AM-12:00PM for as long as school closures are in place.
Currently PARC is providing meals to over 120 children, serving just under 2,000 meals per week. Meals being served include breakfast, lunch, a serving of fruit , dry snacks, milk and a juice to each child in the household, enough for 5 days a week. “Families have been overjoyed with PARC’s efforts to keep our children fed” said PARC’s Assistant Vice President of Children’s Services, Bridie Gauthier. “Many have expressed that this program has provided tremendous relief as they struggle through this difficult time”. For families who rely on public transportation, PARC has been sending out its own fleet of vehicles to deliver meals to those who are unable to get to the Center.
PARC has been providing opportunities for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 65 years. Using a “person-centered” approach, PARC provides programs and services helping those exercise their independence and experience life to the fullest. To learn more about PARC”s Discovery Learning Center, visit their website at www.parc-fl.org.
PARC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for children & adults with developmental disabilities to exercise their independence and experience life to the fullest. PARC provides over 40 programs and services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. 3190 Tyrone Boulevard North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 | (727) 345-9111 | www.parc-fl.org