Oskaloosa Summer Lunch Program Gets Underway
Volunteers serve lunch at the Oskaloosa Summer Lunch Program. (file photo)
Oskaloosa, Iowa – During the school year, most students can count on getting at least one meal a day; but when summer comes, some live in homes where a lack of food is a reality.
The United Way of Mahaska County is once again participating in the Summer Food Service Program. The Summer Food Service Program is gearing up to serve more than 200 million free meals to children under the age of 18, all across the United States.
Last year, over 6500 meals were provided to children in the Oskaloosa, Beacon and University Park areas over the summer months.
Shayna Bruce is the new Director for the summer lunch program for 2017.
Bruce, who is a co-owner of On The Green said that with enough coverage at the restaurant, she saw the opportunity to be “fulfilled in a different way. This opportunity came up and Pam encouraged me to apply.”
“I needed something that was going to keep me mentally occupied other than being at the restaurant,” added Bruce. “This really was a good fit. Pam and I have always been very passionate about nutrition.”
Bruce says that seeing the passion from volunteers is great, and the love of the program from those who have participated in the past and present, and their desire to help is “pretty awesome.”
Bruce tips her hat to her predecessor Martha Comfort for laying the groundwork to getting the program organized. “I’m stealing all of her ideas.”
“She just had it down to a science,” she said of Comfort’s previous work with the program.
Liz Tower has moved from a volunteer in the program to now being the person preparing the meals for it.
“It’s great to be a part of the program once again,” she added.
With the maturity of the program, Tower and Bruce have the participation numbers to help them prepare the needed amount of food.
Bruce says that the USDA also provides needed information to start from. “Which has really helped us gear our menu for the first couple of weeks.”
Oskaloosa qualifies for the program because of the free and reduced lunch program numbers, but a child doesn’t need to qualify for that program in order to take advantage of the summer meals.
Another important impact is the ability to continue developing and growing social skills during the summer months. “It’s a great way to get outside and play with your peers, eat with your peers and have that camaraderie you might be missing by playing video games all summer,” added Bruce.
Volunteers are still needed to help make the program run smoothly this summer. You can find out more about those opportunities at http://www.volunteermahaska.org/
Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis, at the sites and times as follows:
Assembly of God Church -11:15- Noon; M-Thurs; June 5-August 4
(716 South 17th St., Oskaloosa)
Beacon United Methodist Church – 11:30 -12:15; MWF; May 31-August 4
(517 Kilbourn St., Beacon)
College Avenue Friends Church – Noon – 12:45; MWF; May 31-August 4
(912 N. C St., Oskaloosa)
Farmer’s Market on the Square – 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM; Tuesdays; May 23-August 1
(NE Side of Oskaloosa Town Square)
Mahaska Health Partnership – Noon – 12:45; MWF; May 31-August 4
(North 11th St. and C Ave E, Oskaloosa)
New Hope Community – 11:45-12:30; MWF; May 31-August 4
(308 5th Ave W, Oskaloosa)
Oskaloosa Elementary School, Session 1 – 11:30-12:30; M-F; May 30-June 23
(1801 Orchard Ave, Oskaloosa)
Oskaloosa Elementary School, Session 2 – 11:30-12:30; MWF; June 26-August 4
(1801 Orchard Ave, Oskaloosa)
Oskaloosa Public Library – 11:15-Noon; MWF; May 31-August 4
(301 S. Market St., Oskaloosa)
Southern Hills Apartments- Noon-12:45; MWF; May 31-August 4
(202 18th Ave. E, Oskaloosa)
George Daily Auditorium – Noon-12:30; M-F during Theatre Camp dates as follows: June 5-9; June 12-16; June 19-23; June 26-30; July 10-14; July 17-21; July 24-28
(1800 N. 3rd St., Suite #2, Oskaloosa)
Oskaloosa Middle School- Noon-12:30; M-F; May 30-June 23
(1704 N. 3rd St., Oskaloosa)
