The Rome City Schools system has announced participating locations for this year’s Seamless Summer Feeding Program. It is the 16th year the system has provided meals for kids during the summer months.

The federally funded program, which will start May 25 and end June 30, provides breakfast and lunch at no cost to children ages 3-18 at any of the sites.

School sites for the program include East Central Elementary, Elm Street Elementary, Main Elementary, Rome Transitional Academy, North Heights Elementary, Southeast Elementary, West End Elementary and West Central Elementary. Community sites for this year are Rome YMCA Kindercare and Daycare, Fielder Recreation Center, South Rome Boys & Girls Club, Garden Lakes Baptist Church, Second Avenue Baptist Church, West Rome Baptist Church and Westminister Presbyterian Church.

“I was a manager for 10 years, and it was always our worry that some of these kids weren’t going to have anything to eat at home,” said Brandy Money, director of school nutrition for the system. “This allows us to feel like we’re taking care of them.”

About 74 percent of Rome students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Money said the program is designed to help those students during the summer months, and last year nearly 2,400 meals were served each day.

Children do not have to be Rome City Schools students, and no proof of income is required.

Any other sites within Rome city limits that are interested in participating in the program should contact the school nutrition department at 706-236-5050. Potential sites could include day camps and vacation Bible school or any other program that serves children.

Breakfast is available from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at all Rome City Schools sites. The other community participants may have varied times for meals, so parents should check with their location of choice.

All sites will be closed May 30 for Memorial Day.