Children age 18 and under that are attending Roanoke City Schools can find healthy, free meals this summer, if they qualify for free or reduced-price lunches at Roanoke City Schools during the scholastic year.
A program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by Roanoke City Parks and Recreation means free breakfast or lunch, healthy meals prepared in Roanoke City school kitchens and distributed at more than a half dozen sites around the city.
The biggest problem, said Summer Food Coordinator Sarah Gill-Anthony, is that many do not seem to know about the program. The parks and recreation employee said people are welcome to call her at 853-2778 for more details. Gill-Anthony has been overlooking the program for four years; she said it goes back several years before that.
Any child receiving help paying for lunch at school in Roanoke City is eligible; Gill-Anthony said they are prequalified and don’t have to show proof of that if they show up for a free meal. “We have children who miss out on those [healthy] meals when school is out,” she noted.
Trying to get the word out has proven to be a challenge. “There are a lot of children eligible, but not a lot of children partaking of the meals,” said Gill-Anthony. “I think it’s a lot because they don’t know [about it.]” The city’s government website contains links to the program as well.
Gill-Anthony said they welcome organizations that may want to act as a meal distribution site as well. “We’re looking for affiliated organizations that can sponsor a site.”
Breakfast is available from 8-9am at the Boys and Girls Club on 9th Street; lunch is available at noon at Landsdowne Park, the Villages at Lincoln, Bluestone Park, Jamestown Place and Indian Rock Village. Dominion Day Services (3333 Williamson Road NW) is serving both breakfast and lunch to qualified Roanoke youngsters.
By Gene Marrano