(COLUMBIA, MO) -
A new community partnership allows children ages 18 and younger to have free, nutritious lunches and an educational program on weekdays at various locations throughout Columbia this summer. The USDA-funded program, an extension of the school free and reduced lunch program, provides complete, wholesome meals prepared by Columbia Public Schools.
From June 4 to Aug. 3, except July 4, the Lunch in the Park Program, coordinated by Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Department (PHHS), will serve lunches Monday through Friday at Douglass Park’s main shelter, 400 N. Providence Road, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. These meals are served by volunteers coordinated by Voluntary Action Center. On Monday, June 4, a special guest, Mary Phillips, the wife of City of Columbia Mayor Brian Treece, will join the children for lunch.
"For 18 years we have provided free, healthy lunches for children during the summer months at Douglass Park," PHHS Director Stephanie Browning said. "We appreciate the community partnerships that have allowed us to continue to offer this great program so that children in Columbia have an opportunity to get a nutritious meal to eat during this time of the year. We are also excited to collaborate with The Food Bank this year to share information on where they will be providing free, healthy summer lunches in other areas of the city."
Starting July 2, and continuing through Aug. 10, except July 4, The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri will provide free, nutritional lunches to children through its Summer Feeding Program at the following locations in Columbia:
- Bear Creek Park, 1402 Elleta Blvd.
- Derby Ridge Elementary, 4000 Derby Ridge Drive
- Indian Hills Park, 5009 Aztec Blvd.
- McKee Street Park, 1900 McKee St.
- Valleyview Park, 2210 Garden Drive
- West Middle School, 401 Clinkscales Road
Lunches at The Food Bank sites will be served Monday through Friday between 12 and 1 p.m. Persons interested in volunteering to serve lunches at any of The Food Bank sites should contact The Food Bank at 573-474-1020.
"We appreciate Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Department for collaborating with us this year to ensure children can find a lunch spot convenient for them," The Food Bank Executive Director Lindsay Young Lopez said. "We know summer can be tough for families that rely on school meals to help fill the gap at home. It’s important for everyone to work together to ensure children continue to have that mid-day meal."
In addition to the meals served at all of the lunch sites, an educational program will be offered for the children present at each site. For a list of what programming will be offered, along with dates and times, please visit CoMo.gov/health/summer-lunch.
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