Summer food program in Middletown expands hours

FREE SUMMER MEALS

Free meals will be provided to Middletown children from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, June 1 through Aug. 5 at the following sites:

SOURCE: Middletown Area Salvation Army

The Salvation Army of Middletown is participating in the The United States Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program for the third straight year and will offer lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at nine locations.

“We have changed the time a little this year and will have longer hours and we will be serving cold meals,” said Maj. Sebastian Leonardi, from the Salvation Army.

Children will be served wraps, cold sandwiches, milk, fruits and snacks that follow USDA regulations, according to Leonardi.

“Each year we have served over 40,000 meals, and we pack food to send home with the kids on the weekends,” he said.

Leonardi said every student in the Middletown City School District receives free meals, and once students are done with school for the year, it’s important that they still have access to food.

“The same rules apply and the the program is open to any child 18 and under. Kids qualify based on being under Ohio’s poverty guidelines,” he said.

Leonardi said it takes as many as 15 staff members and more than 35 volunteers to run the program, which this year will be offered June 1 through Aug. 5.

Another group that qualifies for the Summer Food Service Program this year will be individuals ages 19-21 who have been identified as having mental or physical disabilities and are following Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) through their current enrollment in educational programs.

Amy Lyons, Summer Food Service Program coordinator, said the Food Service Program is vital and it’s important that children receive at least one nutritious meal a day.

For more information, call the Salvation Army at 513-423-9452.