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Summer Food Program kicks off in Duval County

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Food is something most people take for granted, but in Northeast Florida, not everyone has consistent access to it.

One in four kids are food insecure, meaning they don't know where their next meal is coming from.

“The infrastructure's in place when school's in session to provide them with food and, of course, when school's out for those 10 weeks, that infrastructure is not there,” said Luke Layow, president and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida.

Lavilla School of the Arts is one of many locations across Jacksonville that's helping to fill in the gaps. We found kids there for summer camp, but they're also utilizing the summer food program -- which is a partnership by Jacksonville Children's Commission, Duval County Public Schools and others.

You don't have to be enrolled in a camp or something similar to get fed. If you’re 18 years and younger, there's food waiting for you each day now through July 21.

“They can come in and just receive a free lunch. Every day it's a hot meal. Breakfast and lunch,” mother Velvet Wilson said.

Wilson is helping oversee Lavilla's camp. She's also a mother who says she understands how vital the food program is.

“It’s really huge, especially in this community, in which we have a lot of students who, once school is over, that's it for them as far as breakfast and lunch. It’s necessary and so we try to as much as we can to try to push the healthy way to do it."

To find a participating location, visit: www.SummerBreakSpot.org