The Summer Food Services Program, a component of the City of Atlanta Office of Human Services, has provided food for economically disadvantaged youth as well as career opportunities for Atlanta teens for over 20 years.

The City of Atlanta Summer Foods Services is the oldest and largest free food sponsor for school-age youth in Georgia. Each year, the City applies for federal reimbursement funding to support the $1 million-plus operation which runs from June 4-July 27. In 2007, the program hopes to provide over 600,000 USDA-approved breakfasts and lunches at over 100 Atlanta locations. Program sites include Camp Best Friends, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs’ as well as summer youth programs in Dekalb and Gwinnett counties. 

One of the things that make the program so unique is the work that goes on behind the scenes. All meals are prepared by youth employees, giving Atlanta teens a unique opportunity to get paid while gaining valuable career skills. The work is tough; workers are asked to be at work at 7:30 a.m. where they package, store, wrap and distribute food.  

I had an opportunity to interview Robin Way (a six-year-veteran employee) and Kortland Withrow (a first-year rookie). Robin - a Georgia State University (GSU) biology major with a 3.8 GPA – has risen in rank from food service worker to table manager. Robin says that working in the package area has helped her with her communication skills. Kortland, a Mays High School junior, learned about the program through his sports coach, Darrell Hayes, Summer Food Services operations manager. Kortland, currently a food service worker, hopes to be promoted to truck duty next year.

Kortland Withrow (left) and Robin Way (right) work as
food service worker and table manager, respectively.