The Sheriff’s Youth Foundation will provide more than 900 summer meals and snacks to children in the Youth Activities League (YAL) Centers in the Palmdale, Val Verde, Florence-Firestone, Compton, Marina del Rey, South Whittier, Temple, Walnut, and West Hollywood areas through Aug. 16.
These meals are federally funded from the National School Lunch Program, which assist public and nonprofit schools and other agencies in providing nutritious lunches to children at free or reasonable prices.
“A lot of these kids are not used to a balanced meal and this fantastic program provides them with a good start,” said Sgt. Anthony J. Rotella, executive director of the Youth Activities League.
The YAL was established in 1991, in response to the alarming rise in gang-related homicides, assaults and drug trafficking. It’s designed to provide sports activities to at-risk children as an alternative to criminal behavior. Today, the league has expanded to other activities such as camping, tutoring, college preparation classes, as well as a variety of other educational classes.
There are 17 YAL centers throughout Los Angeles County, and their operating hours are 3-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
For more information, contact Sgt Anthony J. Rotella at (323) 526-5677 or (323) 415-7927 or visit www.SheriffsYouthFoundation.org.
