For the past couple of weeks, children have been dashing down the steps to the Bradford Area High School cafeteria to get in line for free, hot, nutritious meals at lunchtime.
The summer lunch program, conducted by the Bradford Area School District since 2009, ensures all youngsters through the age of 18 receive a meal at noon, for free, if they choose.
Dana Mollander, food service director for the school district, said the meals are offered 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday through Aug. 10.
“So far, so good — the first week we started slow, but it’s picked up,” Mollander said on Monday. “Today we just had a daycare that came in, the YMCA summer camp (housed at the high school) also comes everyday. Everyone is welcome.”
The summer food program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, requires no registration or identification for children who want a meal. Mollander said the young participants number anywhere from 30 to 60 daily.
“If the daycares are walking and don’t have transportation (they may not participate), so it depends on the weather,” she explained. “But we’re here, rain or shine.”
Mollander said the program always offers salad and peanut butter and jelly for sandwiches, as well as one hot food option. Fresh fruits and vegetables, along with juice and chocolate or white milk, are also provided.
“Today we’re offering popcorn chicken,” she said. “We also do pizza, and (Tuesday) it’s sloppy joes.”
Mollander said the program is offered across the country by the federal government to ensure all children have access to hot lunches throughout the summer while schools are closed.
“This kind of fills in the gaps for working families,” she continued. “We do it (at the high school) because Callahan Park is (nearby) with the swimming pool, so we’re hoping we get those children.”
Mollander said all types of families have participated throughout the past decade the program has been administered.
“When my children were little, they had (the program) at Hanley Park on Barbour Street,” she recalled. “Actually, last Monday I took the day off to watch my 2-year-old granddaughter and where do you think we came to lunch?”
The answer was the lunch program and Mollander’s granddaughter “sat right up at the table and had peanut butter and jelly.”
She said her staff of three people can pull food from the other school cafeterias if they should run short; therefore, the program is able to feed extra children who arrive.
Parents who commented on the program included a mother named Meghan who was at the program with her children, a friend and other children in her care.
“The kids seem really full and happy,” she said. “We’re taking them to (Allegany State Park) after this, but it was convenient to stop and have lunch. Last week, the Missoula Children Theatre came, so that brought in even more kids.”
YMCA summer camp employee Chelsea Wymer said her agency brings as many as 30 children to the lunch program every day.
“This gives the kids more choices so they’re not carrying around lunches, and packing is hard” for parents, Wymer remarked.
A young camper named Jeremiah said he liked the lunches served, and even enjoyed the fresh veggies offered.
“Spinach is my favorite,” he added.
Mollander said that as the summer lunch program is offered across the country, families can find sites in other communities by visiting summer meals site finder online.
