Many parents and caretakers struggle with the costs of keeping children fed when school is out for the summer.
But Seymour Community School Corp. doesn’t want to see kids go hungry. That’s why it is again offering the free Summer Food Service Program this year.
All children and teens ages 2 to 18, regardless of family income, can eat breakfast and lunch for free, either at Margaret R. Brown Elementary School at 550 Miller Lane or Seymour Middle School at 920 N. O’Brien St.
The eight-week program will start June 5 and run Monday through Friday until July 28. Hours still are being worked out and will be announced at a later date, said Stacey Driver, registered dietitian/nutritionist and food service director for the Seymour school corporation. There will be no meals served July 4.
Students who want to eat do not have to register or fill out an application. All they have to do is show up, Driver said.
“It’s a great meal option for busy families,” Driver said. “No prep time, no cleanup and no cost.”
It’s also a good option for day cares and sports teams, she added.
Adults can eat with children but must pay $2 for breakfast. Lunch prices for adults have not yet been set and may increase slightly from last year’s price of $3.25.
The two Seymour sites were chosen because of summer school programs already taking place at those buildings and because they are accessible to kids.
The middle school site is used by those attending summer programs at Girls Inc. of Jackson County or the Boys and Girls Club in Seymour. Brown is located in a densely populated, low-income area close to many apartment complexes on the city’s south side.
The federally funded Summer Food Service Program also will be available at Medora Community Schools.
Medora’s program will run from June 5 to Aug. 4. Those over the age of 18 who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled also may eat for free.
The summer meals will be available at the school at 82 George St.
For information on Medora’s free summer meal program, contact Rebecca Starr at 812-966-2210 or the USDA Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
Seymour Community School Corp. has offered summer meals for the past 10 years to ensure children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.
Around 50 percent of the school district’s student population receives free or reduced-price meals during the school year.
“It’s a very valuable service in our community,” Driver said.
Last summer, the program served nearly 14,000 free meals, she said.
Summer meals will be similar to what the schools serve during the school year.
Each meal will consist of a meat or meat alternate, a grain, fruit, vegetable and milk. Menus will be available at the schools so parents and children know what food will be served each day.
A complete meal will be offered, but children will be able to choose items. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will be offered daily.
Meals are counted each day, and the number of meals served for the month is reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which reimburses the district for each meal.
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As part of the Summer Food Service Program, all children and teens ages 2 to 18, regardless of family income, can eat breakfast and lunch for free, either at Margaret R. Brown Elementary School, 550 Miller Lane, or Seymour Middle School, 920 N. O’Brien St.
The eight-week program will start June 5 and run Monday through Friday until July 28. Hours are still being worked out and will be announced at a later date. There will be no meals served July 4.
Adults can eat with children but must pay $2 for breakfast. Lunch prices for adults have not yet been set and may increase slightly from last year’s price of $3.25.
The program also will be available at Medora Community Schools.
Medora’s program will run from June 5 to Aug. 4. Persons over the age of 18 who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled also may eat for free.
The summer meals will be available at the school at 82 George St.
For information on Medora’s free summer meal program, contact Rebecca Starr at 812-966-2210 or the USDA Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
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