Program provides summer meals for kids

May 25, 2010

The Children's Lunchbox hopes to keep kids fed through the summer months. (Joshua Borough/KTUU-DT)

by Maria Downey
Monday, May 24, 2010

Editor's Note: This story has been changed to clarify that the Children's Lunchbox is not a federally funded program. It is funded by Bean's Cafe, a private non-profit. However, the specific summer lunch program does receive federal funding.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- For most students, the summer months are a great escape from school, but for some it's a time when they know they won't get their three meals a day.

A summer program at Goose Lake Park is a way to make sure children who get free meals during the school year will still have a good lunch during the summer months.

The Children's Lunchbox is a funded by Bean's Cafe. The summer lunch portion of the program receives federal funds.

Meals will be available at Goose Lake Park and 14 other locations including the Boys and Girls Club for those 18 and younger, Monday through Friday.

"It's an incredible program. There is a big nutritional gap for kids during the summer and this is to help those kids. There's 18,000 children in reduced or free lunch programs at school; there's a lot of kids who still need help in the summer and that's what this program is about," said Becky Thompson with The Children's Lunchbox.

Meals are served from noon to 1 p.m. at Goose Lake Park, but vary at other locations. The program runs through August 13, except for Memorial Day and July 4.

Contact Maria Downey at mdowney@ktuu.com.

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