Southwest to give free meals to all youths during summer
Not even the gifted can perform at the peak of their powers if deprived of vital nutrition. And research reveals children properly fed perform better in school. But for some families providing adequately for every household member is sometimes a struggle, especially in THE summer.
So it is welcome news the Central Union High School District won a grant from the Summer Food Service Program under the auspices of the U. S. Department of Agriculture in May. First created as part of a larger pilot program in 1968, SFSP has been independent since 1975.
Administered by the federal government it is run by local sponsors such as school districts, local government agencies, camps or private nonprofit organizations. Sites operate in low-income areas where at least half the children come from families who earn incomes equal to or less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level and are eligible for reduced or free school meals.
“I think it’s a great program to provide kids with meals throughout the summer,” said Erika Allen, nutrition service director at CUHS. “We’ll have seven to eight hundred at summer school this summer.”
But the beauty of the program is that it is free to all children 18 and under, and they do not have to be attending summer school. Children from any locale are eligible to receive lunch which will be served from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Mondays through Thursdays, June 12 through July 13 at Southwest High School in El Centro. Meals are actually prepared at CUHS but delivered to SHS.
“It’s beneficial to the low-income or any families who worry about how they can provide lunch for their kids,” said Allen. “So this service fills in household budget gaps any family maybe struggling to meet or worry about.”
The summer program supports all U.S.D.A. nutritional guidelines provided during the regular school year so parents can be assured children continue to receive a nutritionally balanced meal. And there is no need to reserve a place in advance, walk-ins are welcome.
Joshua Bethel, a nutrition services delivery driver was happy to pitch in to help the kitchen get all utensils and food containers washed the week after the spring term completed. “I think it’s a great program,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity for kids to stay health during the summer.”
For further information call 760-336-4261 or go to www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks