The School District of West De Pere is providing free lunches for anyone under the age of 18 at three locations this summer, including Kelly Danen Park. PC: Fox 11 Online
DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Summer is a difficult time of year for food-insecure families as students lose access to the healthy meals they normally receive at school. But, many districts across our area are helping to fill the gaps.
It’s the first full week of summer vacation for many schools in our area, but that doesn’t mean the cafeteria is closed. Free summer lunch programs kicked off in both Appleton and West De Pere on Monday.
“This is really a good program for people who maybe can’t go get lunch or maybe they live around here and they are able to walk and it helps the kids get nutritious meals so their fruits, their vegetables that they need, milk,” a food service supervisor with the West De Pere School District.
West De Pere is serving lunches at Westwood Elementary and two non-school sites, including Kelly Danen Park and Nicolet Townhomes.
“We have milk, and then they get a choice of fruit, they can have both. Then they have a choice of vegetable and then we always have a hot item. Today is pizza,” said McVey.
The free summer lunch program, as well as the option for breakfast in some districts, come in handy for families who closely watch their spending.
According to single mom Drew Cervantes, “It’s a huge relief, times are tough, groceries are expensive and it’s really nice that we have the support of the community to help us through these times.”
While the summer lunch program is obviously a financial help for families, those taking advantage of it say it’s about so much more.
“Honestly, it gives an option to try different and new things too. I saw on the menu, later they have beet sticks later this week. I’ve never tried beet stick, he definitely hasn’t. That will be a new option. I like the availability and being able to try new things in a controlled environment so we’re excited about it,” said West De Pere mom Jessica Blavat.
Chris Lani, whose kids also go to West De Pere added, “It’s a long summer and you don’t always have a plan so having an option to jump in quickly it does help. and it’s nice for the kids to be able to see their classmates too while they’re out.”
In West De Pere, the district is also offering bulk meal pick up, once a week. It includes a week’s worth of frozen and refrigerated breakfast and lunch options. Scheduled for Wednesdays, we’re told about 300 families are already signed up.
Anne McVey said, “It’s meant for anybody so whether or not you can’t afford it or are just convenience, kind of like I don’t need to make lunch today it’s already made for me, which I can understand. So, I think it’s both. I really do, I think it’s both.”
And something plenty of families plan to take advantage of this summer.
You can check for free summer meal programs in your area by visiting the Summer Meals for Kids Finder Site.
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