District One summer food program set to kick off June 4

Yuma School District One will kick off its summer food program June 4 at O.C. Johnson Elementary.

The event starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes until 1 at the school grounds, located in the 1200 block of West 12th Street and Avenue A. The kick-off event will have face painting, music, balloon animals, and a prizes raffle.

The event will mark the start of District One’s summer food program, paid for out of federal funds. The program in District One will have five locations this year and will offer free meals to children 18 or younger. Adults meals cost $2.50 for lunch and $1.50 for breakfast.

“The Summer Food Program in Yuma School District provides hot meal options in a nice and cool environment,” said school nutrition director Lisa Thrower.

District One schools participating this year are: McGraw, 2845 Arizona Ave.; O.C. Johnson, 1201 W. 12th St.; Palmcroft, 901 W. Palmcroft Drive; the Main Cafeteria (shared by Roosevelt and Fourth Avenue Jr. High), 450 W. 5th St.; and Pecan Grove, 600 S. 21st Drive.

No paperwork or reservations are required to eat, Thrower noted, and all children and teens are welcome. The program runs from June 4 through July 20. No meals will be served on July 4, which is Independence Day.

One thing that is new this year is longer hours, Thrower noted.

“Many parents requested longer serving times last year, so we extended breakfast and lunch times. Breakfast is 8:30-9:30 a.m. Lunch is 11:30-1 p.m.,” she said in a email interview.

The district is also continuing with its activities.

“We will continue with free face painting at our various sites throughout the summer during lunch service,” she said.

Face painting will be at O.C. Johnson on Mondays, at Pecan Grove on Tuesdays, at McGraw on Wednesdays, at Palmcroft on Thursdays and at Fourth Avenue Junior High on Fridays.

Parents can follow the school nutrition department on Facebook for any promotions and updates https://www.facebook. com/yumadistrictonechildnutritiondepartment