Waltham Boys & Girls Club Kicks Off Summer Eats Program

WALTHAM, Mass. – This summer, the Waltham Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) is once again stepping up to support the community by offering free nutritious meals to children and teens across eight meal sites in Waltham. As part of the statewide Summer Eats initiative, the program ensures that children aged 18 and younger can access healthy meals during the summer months when school cafeterias are closed. Along with providing meals, the Club has partnered with Waltham Public Schools Enrichment Programs and the Waltham Public Library to host engaging family-oriented activities and enrichment programs led by teen interns.

Last year, the Waltham Boys & Girls Club served over 18,920 meals, underscoring the critical role this program plays in addressing food insecurity during the summer. In a community like Waltham, where many families rely on school meals during the academic year, the program fills an essential gap by ensuring that children continue to receive healthy, balanced meals. Beyond nutrition, the program fosters a sense of belonging and connection, offering a safe space for children to engage in meaningful activities and build relationships.

"Summer should be a time of exploration, growth, and joy for every child," said Erica Young, Executive Director at the Waltham Boys & Girls Club. "The Summer Eats Food Program ensures that no child in Waltham has to go hungry while also providing opportunities to learn, play, and thrive in a supportive environment. By offering nutritious meals in a safe space, we help children build confidence and create lasting memories, reinforcing our commitment to a healthier, more equitable community."

Summer Eats Events (Friday, June 27 and Friday, July 25)
Lunch will be served.

• Summer Kickoff Event (Friday, June 27; 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

Waltham Common – 610 Main St, Waltham, MA 02452

• Midsummer Spike Event (Friday, July 25; 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

Drake Playground – 3 Hazel St, Waltham, MA 02451

Waltham Public School Enrichment Sites (Monday, July 7 - Friday, August 15)
Breakfast and lunch will be served at the following locations:

• Plympton Elementary – 20 Farnsworth St, Waltham, MA 02451
• Northeast Elementary – 70 Putney Lane, Waltham, MA 02452
• Whittemore Elementary – 30 Parmenter Road, Waltham, MA 02453
• Kennedy Middle School – 655 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452
• McDevitt Middle School – 75 Church St, Waltham, MA 02452

Camp/Community Partners (Monday, June 23 - Friday, August 15)
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the WBGC, while lunch and snacks will be available at the Library.

• Summer Session (WBGC) – 20 Exchange St., Waltham, MA 02451
• Waltham Public Library – 735 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451
• A supplementary 'late lunch' will be provided during these special events.
• Magician Show (Thursday, June 26)
• Yo-Yo Show (Thursday, July 17)
• Flying High Dog Show (Wednesday, July 30)
• Milestone – 410 Totten Pond Rd Fl 2, Waltham, MA 02451
• Only serving lunch.

Summer Eats supports families by offering free meals to children and teens, helping them grow, learn, and thrive throughout the summer break. Meal sites, hosted by partners like the Waltham Boys & Girls Club, often combine meals with activities and educational programs to create a well-rounded experience. This year, most meal sites are adopting a communal dining model, allowing kids to enjoy meals on-site. The program is open to all—no registration or ID required. In 2024 alone, the program served over 2.8 million meals across more than 1,450 sites statewide, ensuring that no child goes hungry during the summer months. Another summer food resource is SUN Bucks (Summer EBT), which is a federal food benefit providing additional funding for groceries for low-income families with school-aged children.

For over 20 years, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the statewide food security nonprofit Project Bread have partnered to support meal providers in offering Summer Eats meals to children in Massachusetts. Throughout the school year, the nonprofit and DESE also partner to expand access to and participation in school meal programs. This year, Project Bread has awarded a total of $236,482 to Summer Eats sponsors statewide for their program development and capacity-building, such as equipment to transport meals or increase kitchen efficiency and meal quality, as well as staffing support and items to enhance site engagement, outreach and promotion efforts.

“The Summer Eats program is a vital investment in our children’s futures, making sure they have access to nutritious, delicious food at no cost to their families, even when schools are out,” says Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread, Massachusetts’ leading food security organization. “Summer Eats meal providers like Waltham Boys & Girls Club support their communities, help ease families’ budgets, and bring fun summer programming together with healthy, accessible meals each day, an essential service to move the needle on ending hunger in the Commonwealth.”

For more information about Summer Eats, including meal site locations, visit www.projectbread.org/summer-eats, text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304, or call 1-800-645-8333 for help in any language.

About Project Bread
Project Bread connects people and communities in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food while advocating for policies that make food more accessible, so that no one goes hungry. Summer Eats is one of the many nutrition programs they support. Any resident of Massachusetts struggling to afford food or worried they might run out before they have money to buy more can call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline for help in over 180 languages (1-800-645-8333) or send a confidential chat on www.gettingsnap.com for compassionate, personalized assistance. Counselors are available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is also a dedicated line available to those who are hearing impaired. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.

About the Waltham Boys & Girls Club
The Waltham Boys & Girls Club has been serving the community for years, offering programs and resources that empower young people to reach their full potential. Through partnerships, dedicated staff, and a focus on fostering a sense of belonging, the Club continues to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in Waltham. For more information, visit www.walthambgc.org.

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