A program to feed children free lunches during the summer will begin Monday at six sites in Cape Girardeau.
The federally funded summer lunch program, which is being administered locally by East Missouri Action Agency and Caring Communities, is targeted at areas of the city that have at least 50 percent participation in the school free lunch program, said Carol Williams, summer food service director. Like the school lunch program, the summer lunch program is funded by the U.S Department of Agriculture.
The sites where children ages 18 and younger can eat a lunch this summer will be Cape Civic Center, 232 Broadway; Washington Park, Washington and Fountain streets; Capaha Park, Broadway and West End; Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope; Family Resource Center, 1000 S. Sprigg; and the summer school program at Blanchard School, 1829 N. Sprigg.
Children living in those neighborhoods can come and eat from noon to 1 Monday through Friday through early August, Williams said. No registration is required.
"The program is a way that children at home during the summer can get a nutritionally balanced meal at least once during the day," Williams said. The lunch is a sack lunch, usually composed of a sandwich, chips, vegetable and fruit.
The lunch program also gives children a chance to mingle with other children, Williams said.
Often there will be a program or activity planned for after the meal, Williams said.
Fran Haupt, nutrition education coordinator for the Healthy Children Nutrition Education Initiative, will present short programs weekly at four of the sites, beginning June 19. She will be at the Family Resource Center on Mondays, Cape Civic Center on Tuesdays, Salvation Army on Wednesdays and Washington Park on Thursdays.
Through games and activities, Haupt will teach lessons about the Food Pyramid and good nutrition. Haupt said the first week, she plans to bring in wheat and go over the steps it takes to turn it into bread.
As an added incentive to get children to come out, Haupt said those who come to five of the weekly sessions will receive a free T-shirt. She'll also give out small prizes each week.
Williams expects the program to feed from 400 to 500 children a day while summer school is in session and about 200 a day once summer school is over.
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