Duke Raleigh Hospital

Andre Parker prepares breakfast in the kitchen of the Duke Raleigh Hospital cafe.

The hungry patrons in line for meals at the Duke Raleigh Hospital café feature more young faces since the North Carolina Summer Food Service Program kicked off this month.

Now until August 25 children 18 and under can visit the café on the first floor of the main hospital Monday through Friday for free breakfast, 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m., and lunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., by simply asking for the “Summer Meal Deal.”

“Hunger pangs are hard to ignore,” said Neal Seigler, Director of Environmental and Nutritional Services at Duke Raleigh Hospital. “As part of our commitment to the community, Duke Raleigh Hospital is proud to help ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals even when school is out.”

Though Duke Raleigh Hospital piloted the program for a few weeks last year, 2019 marks the hospital’s first year as an official sponsor of the North Carolina Summer Food Service Program.

Already, children are stopping in to enjoy the morning offerings of hot or cold cereal or eggs and toast, fruit and milk as well as lunches of a protein, (grilled cheese included), or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and at least two servings of fruits, vegetables or grain with milk.

Christina Shepard and Andre Parker pose in the Duke Raleigh Hospital cafe.

Christina Shepherd, a retail food associate, has found joy in helping spread the word about the program as people visit the café.

“Duke Raleigh has continued to amaze me with the generosity it provides for the community and staff,” said Shepherd. “This is a great opportunity to help the families of our community with a resource many take for granted. I love communicating this offering to the families that are visiting us.”

For Andre Parker, a food production cook at Duke Raleigh Hospital, getting the chance to serve meals to children through the program has special meaning.

“As a child it was programs like this that provided me with numerous meals that I would not have otherwise received,” said Parker. “I know its value and am proud to be a part of it.”

Interested?

Children may visit the hospital café on the first floor of 3400 Wake Forest Road for the following:

Free educational activities will also be offered 1-2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday by the Wake County AmeriCorps VISTAs Program through Monday, August 12. We will also have Hannah Sasser with our KidsCan! Program leading children in a rock decorating activity on Wednesday, August 21.

There will be no educational programming on Wednesday, August 14, or Monday, August 19.

–By Erin McKenzie