Nutrition doesn't have to end when classes do.
The summer lunch program started Monday at Warren Area Elementary Center and Youngsville Elementary/Middle School. Kim Smith, who leads the program at Youngsville, said the goal is to serve as many kids as possible.
When the program started last year, Smith said, Camp Connection, Rouse Daycare and walk-ins all participated. While Camp Connection isn't back again, she said students being tutored will attend this year in addition to walk-ins and Rouse Daycare.
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Times Observer photo by Colin Kyler
Summer lunch
Ethan Curry takes part in the summer lunch program Monday at Youngsville Elementary/Middle School.
"On a scale of one to 10, I think this program is a 10," Smith said. "These kids aren't getting home-cooked meals at home."
However, Smith noted there aren't many walk-ins. In total, the school serves between 50 to 80 children each day.
In the future, Smith doesn't foresee expansion to other schools. She said the menus are similar to those offered during the school year.
Ethan Curry is in his second year of participating in the school lunch program. He was at Youngsville with the tutoring group.
Last year, Curry said he didn't like the pizza because it was flat. But it's better this year, he noted.
"This helps families when it comes to spending money," Curry said. "They don't have a lot for clothes and other things."
According to Curry, he plans to keep using the program. The program runs daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at YEMS and 11:30 a.m. to noon at WAEC. It will continue until July 31 at WAEC and Aug.10 at YEMS.
The meals are free and provided through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant and Pennsylvania Department of Education. Children under age 18 are eligible for the meals.