The Oskaloosa Summer Lunch Program Underway

Volunteers serve lunch during the first day of the Oskaloosa Summer Lunch Program.

Volunteers serve lunch during the first day of the Oskaloosa Summer Lunch Program.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The sounds of summer are filling the parks and recreation areas of the community, as the school doors closed on the 2014-15 school year for the last time.

For the Oskaloosa Summer Lunch Program, that means the months of recuperation are now being implemented.

After last year’s pilot program, the summer lunch program is designed to help all school age children receive a much needed meal, no questions asked.

The need for such a program was evident as more and more students are going to school hungry. During the summer months, those students no longer have access to prepared lunches like they do during the school year.

With over 50% of the Oskaloosa School District being on reduced or free lunch, the USDA has a program that communities can adopt to help feed children in need of nourishment.

So around Oskaloosa, locations have been designated, and volunteers report to work at various aspects of the program. From serving the meal, and cleaning up the sites afterwards, a small army helps make it all possible.

Martha Comfort, director of Oskaloosa Summer Lunch, lead the program last year. For the second year in a row, she is once again at the helm of an ever expanding project.

That is seen in the kitchen this year, with paid staff now preparing the meals for the program.

In 2014, Oskaloosa Summer Lunch served 2,400 meals to kids and teens. This summer, the projection is that far more meals will be served, as a greater awareness of the program continues.

Comfort has been impressed by how the community and volunteers have come together to make the program what it is.

Amy Langdon, Director of Mahaska County United Way, praised Comfort for her dedication to making the program a success.

Here’s a list of all the places anyone 18 and under can join in on a free lunch June 1st until August 14th:

Oskaloosa Elementary School: June – Monday through Friday, Noon to 12:45

July and August – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Noon to 12:45

Oskaloosa Public Library: June, July and August – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11:15 to Noon

New Hope Community: June, July and August – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Noon to 12:45

Edmundson Park, Kiwanis Shelter: June, July and August – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Noon to 12:45

Oskaloosa Summer Lunch will also provide lunch to those involved in George Daily Theater Camps.

For more information or if you are interested in volunteering please contact Lindsey Sheets at 641.673.6043 or uwmc.coordinator@gmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook at ‘Oskaloosa Summer Lunch Program’.

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