Summer program aims to ensure no child goes hungry

The Atlanta Public Library is participating in a summer food service program to make sure any person 1 to 18 years of age doesn’t go hungry this summer.

The program is called Healthy Summer Meals for Kids and its food is delivered by the East Texas Food Bank of Tyler, Texas.

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Division administers 12 such federal child and special nutrition programs for the state. The programs exemplify the concept of “eating right” for youth of all backgrounds.

The food is provided from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to anyone of this age group who showsi up at the library. Volunteers assist the library staff in serving and coordination.

Here’s an example of a recent Thursday’s food package:

■ White cheddar sticks

■ Beef sticks

■ Cheddar Goldfish

■ Applesauce

■ Sunflower seeds

■ Juice and milk. Participants may have one serving but may place any leftover items on a special desk called the “No Thank You” table, which anyone may avail themselves of.

The East Texas Food Bank is a nonprofit organization providing food to more than 200 partner organizations since 1988 in 26 East Texas counties.

The ETFB functions as a clearing house for donated food from the food industry and collects, sorts, packages and delivers such food. The ETFB has eight programs to meet the needs of children, adults and seniors. These are BackPack Program, Kids Cafe/Afterschool Snack, Summer Food Program, Senior Box Program, Mobile Pantry, Fresh Produce Program, Nutrition Education and Snap.

In 2017, the ETFB distributed more than 22.4 million meals.

In Cass County, the following organizations are partner agencies with the ETFB.

Pantries

■ Atlanta First Baptist Church and Mission Atlanta

■ Avinger United Methodist Church

■ Domino Christian Pantry

■ Hughes Springs First United Methodist Church (Mobile Pantry)

Senior Box

■ Hughes Springs First Baptist Church

■ Linden Church of Christ Produce

■ Domino Christian Pantry

above This sign at the Atlanta Public Library announces a community program at the library during the summer.

Staff photos by Neil Abeles right Atlanta Library volunteer Abby Amos shows the food she will help distribute during the library’s’s association with the East Texas Food Bank and its summer lunch program.

left Enjoying a noontime lunch at the Atlanta Library are, from left, Jazlyn Forte, 7, Krystin Forte, 7, and their big brother Isaiah Cross, 17.