By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Youngsters ran races, had their faces painted and tackled an obstacle course Monday at Father Lennon Park in Providence as the city kicked off its Summer Lunch Program there and at 34 other parks around the city.
Mayor Jorge Elorza proclaimed the program was open for business during brief ceremonies at the park on Camden Avenue Monday morning.
“About 80% of our kids, they receive reduced (price) lunch during school, but many less than that actually come out during the summer, so we know that there’s the need out there, and we want to make the summer meals program so much more accessible to members of the community,” Elorza said.
The National Football League and the New England Patriots were represented by mascot “Pat Patriot” and the NFL’s “Play 60” booth. The League describes the program as “a campaign to encourage kids to be active for 60 minutes a day to help reverse the trend of childhood obesity.”
“I couldn’t agree more with that,” said Elorza. “I think every single child should spend at least 60 minutes running around and being active.”
“You know, so many kids playing video games nowadays, you know, we have to get them out there, we have to get them playing, just learning to live active and healthy lives. The Patriots’ partnership in this has been great,” he said.
Senator Jack Reed joined in the kick-off event.
“Kids can get not only a decent meal but some recreation, so they come back to school ready to learn with all the horsepower they need to do a good job in school,” said Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat.
