Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Destiny Babcock (right), Nathan Mountain, and Dustin Long pick up Warren County School District Summer Food Service Program lunches at Beaty-Warren Middle School on Thursday. Anyone age 18 or younger may pick up a free meal at any SFSP site, Monday through Friday.

It’s summer, but hundreds of young people are still eating school district meals in the community.

The Warren County School District Summer Food Service Program opened last week at Beaty-Warren Middle School and the Rouse Children’s Center. On Monday, the remaining sites — the Youngsville YMCA, Crescent Park Playground, and Lacy Park and Playground will open.

Other than age, there is no limitation on who may eat a free meal.

“If you’re 18 years or younger, come and eat a meal if you’re hungry,” Coordinator of Grant and Foundation Development Matt Jones said. “We’re really encouraging people to share this.”

“We’re very pleased to be able to offer this service to the community,” District Transportation and Purchasing Manager Mike Kiehl said. “There is a misconception that there are income eligibility requirements. There aren’t.”

Most of the students eating meals at Beaty this week were already in the building for programs like Summer Music School and 21st Century Community Learning Program. But, any young person can get a meal. “You could be walking by,” Jones said.

There were 101 breakfasts served at Beaty on Thursday and 146 lunches there on Wednesday. Only the Beaty location offers breakfast.

“Our numbers have increased as the week has gone on,” Kiehl said.

The menus are developed based on what kids want.

“It seemed like the kids really enjoyed the walking tacos on Monday, the chicken patties on Tuesday, and the hot dogs on Wednesday.”

Macaroni and cheese was on the menu Thursday with pizza set for Friday.

The menu can be found at www.wcsdpa.org by clicking on the ‘meals’ button at the bottom of the page.

The program is funded through reimbursement from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Dollars from the program cannot be used to provide food to adults, but parents, grandparents, or guardians who would like to bring their young ones to an SFSP site are welcome to stay and spend time with them while the kids eat.

The sites are open at differing times.

¯ Beaty — breakfast is served from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch is 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.;

¯ Lacy — lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m.;

¯ Crescent — lunch from 11:15 to 11:45;

¯ Rouse — 11 to 11:45 a.m.; and

¯ YMCA – Youngsville — lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m.