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Friday, 31 July 2009 |
By ANGELA WEAVER
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — After a local school official began a program, the first of its kind in the area, qualifying area children were able to receive meals during their summer break.
From June 2 to Thursday, children were able to receive hot lunches two days a week through the 2009 Summer Food Service Program for Children.
“We averaged 50 children a day,” St. Marys City Schools District Food Service Coordinator Donna Kentner said. “We had a couple days where we only had 15, other days we had 70.”
Kentner said she was happy with the outcome.
“I’m pretty pleased with that for our first year,” she said. “The state consultant said that’s really good for the first year.”
The program was offered to children ages 18 and younger — who are part of the district’s free or reduced lunch program — and persons older than 18 who are mentally or physically disabled.
“Every week there seemed to be a new kid or two, and adults,” Kentner said. “We had a lot of the same people, but we did see new faces. As long as we got one or two, that’s what matters.”
Volunteers from Agape Ministries, as well as Debbie Brown, a Family Nutrition Program assistant with The Ohio State University Extension Office, who provided nutritional information for the adults, were on-hand during the lunches.
“Agape gave out snack bags for them to take home,” Kentner said, adding that the packs provided the children with extra nutrition for the weekend.
Agape volunteers also helped serve food and supervise the children during the lunches.
Volunteers from the St. Marys Community Public Library also assisted during the lunches, Kentner said.
“They read books to the children,” she said. “There was a lot of interaction.”
Kentner said the most popular meal for the children was “anything with cheese.”
“Mac and cheese, cheese sticks,” she said. “Pizza is always a favorite.”
Kentner said she was not sure if she was going to continue the summer food program next summer.
“I really feel like there is a need,” she said. “We’ll see what the economy does.”
The program took place from 11:30 a.m.. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the McBroom Junior High Cafeteria, which Kentner may change if the program is offered again next year.
“There’s going to be a lot of transition,” she said. “We’re looking at many locations.”
The program was started after Agape Ministries Executive Director Kathy Bayless approached Kentner stating there was a need for the program. From there, Kentner received approval from the St. Marys Board of Education, filled out an application and received state approval.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 September 2009 )
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