Living through coronavirus: Salvation Army makes changes to its summer food program

Last year, the local Salvation Army served more than 110,000 meals, 43,000 Monday through Friday and 70,000 on the weekend, she said.

But because of the coronavirus pandemic and the longer summer break, Lyons said the Salvation Army is projecting an increased need for meals this year. There was construction at Middletown High School and Middletown Middle School last year so the summer break was shortened to 43 days. This year the students will be home for 65 days, she said.

Then with the financial hardships caused by COVID-19, Lyons believes more Middletown families will need meal assistance.

“Let’s say you have $100 left,” she said. “Are you going to spend that on food or wait for the unknown?”

Instead of receiving meals five days a week, each person will be given two breakfasts and two lunches Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Residents are being encouraged to pick up the non-congregate meals for their neighbors and no registration is required, changes made to reduce the number of people who come in contact, Lyons said.

The breakfast will consist of a grain product, fruit and milk and lunch will be a cold sandwich (peanut butter and jelly or lunch meat), two fruits or one fruit, one vegetable and milk or water, she said.

Salvation Army staff will serve the meals, according to Lyons.

Here are the five locations for the Salvation Army Summer Food Service Program that will be served every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from May 27-Aug. 8:

THE SALVATION ARMY

1914 First Ave.

12:15-1 p.m.

DOUGLASS PARK

1825 Minnesota Street

11-11:45 a.m.

FREEDOM COURT

4300 Freedom Court

11-11:45 a.m.

OAKLAND PARK

519 Baltimore St.

12:15-1 p.m.

WILBRAHAM

3101 Wilbraham Road

12:15-1 p.m.

SOURCE: Middletown Salvation Army

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