PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Many low income families rely on free or reduced cost lunches for their kids during the school year. When the school year ends, those kids are at risk of going hungry.

An event was held at Deering Oaks Park to let families know that this year there are 18 locations in Portland that provide free lunches for kids during the summer, the most ever in the city.

The program not only fills the need for free lunches during the summer months, it also hopes to keep the education process going as well.

“United Way is doing a starting strong program, which is literacy based, where they are reading with the kids at five sites across the city. 4H is here today. They’re doing science experiments,” said Michelle Lamm of the Preble Street Hunger Initiative.

The program is a partnership involving several organizations in an attempt to feed children’s bodies as well as their minds during this time of year. If you’d like to learn more about the summer lunch program or find a location near your neighborhood visit the website for Portland Schools or Portland ConnectED.