Free food and essentials offered at Park Heights Academy this summer

At Park Heights Academy in Park Heights, free food, diapers, formula and produce were handed out at 2835 Virginia Ave., turning the school into a summer stop for families trying to stretch tight household budgets. The Monday distribution also included newly donated feminine hygiene products and information booths, and the organization will continue with summer pop-ups every Monday in July.

Valarie Matthews said the need grows sharply in summer, when families are forced to decide between essentials such as formula and a BGE bill as air-conditioning use drives up costs.

CFYS was established in memory of Catherine Matthews, the late grandmother of founders Shannon Morgan and Valarie Matthews. The nonprofit celebrated its 11th anniversary in March and serves low- to no-income families in Park Heights and nearby communities. The organization grew from serving five families to more than 1,000, and one Park Heights distribution handed out more than 50,000 pounds of food and baby essentials.

The group’s pantry and diaper hub now stock car seats, pack and plays, baby wipes, clothing and other baby items, along with help that has at times included SNAP representatives, utilities assistance, phones or tablets and mental health support. CFYS also runs after-school and summer programs for children ages 5 to 13 and can serve up to 75 students at a time.

The city’s Summer Food Service Program runs Monday through Friday from June 22 through August 21, offering free meals for children and teens while school is out. The local program is administered by the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Community Services and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

CFYS has also worked with the Maryland Food Bank since 2015.