By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH COUNTY, Ind. – Summer food programs will be available at eight sites around Wabash County from June 3 through July 19.
Three of the eight sites will offer both breakfast and lunch, while seven will offer lunch and one will offer supper.
Locations, hours and offerings are as follows:
Wabash Middle School, 150 Colerain St., Wabash: Breakfast 7:45-9 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
O.J. Neighbours Elementary School, 1545 N. Wabash St., Wabash: Breakfast 8-9 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m.-Noon.
Wabash County YMCA, 500 S. Cass St., Wabash: Breakfast 9-10 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fire Station Park, 1470 Vernon St., Wabash: Lunch 11:55 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Living Faith Church, 242 S. Huntington St., Wabash: Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Roann United Methodist Church, Adams & Arnold streets, Roann: Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
LaFontaine United Methodist Church, 2 W. Kendall St., LaFontaine: Lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Access Youth Center, 74 W. Canal St., Wabash: Supper 3:45-5 p.m.
Free meals are available from those 18 years of age and under. Adults can eat for a nominal fee.
The meals are available Monday through Friday, with the exception of July 4-5. Meal sites will be closed for the Independence Day weekend.
The eight local sites are among nearly 250 school and community sponsors, children 18 and younger across the state will have access to free meals and snacks throughout the summer break.
“Providing children access to wholesome and nutritious meals during the summer months is important to their wellbeing,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I want to thank our sponsors for their dedication and support.”
June marks the busiest month for the summer food program when many families seek help for additional nutrition resources. As a result, Governor Eric J. Holcomb has issued a statewide proclamation declaring the week of June 10-14 Summer Food Service Program Week.
For more than 40 years, the Summer Food Service Program has provided eligible children and youth ages 18 and under with access to free, nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months. In 2018, Indiana sponsors served nearly 2.7 million meals across the state. Site locations and meal service times vary throughout Indiana, and locations range from parks and community centers to schools, churches, neighborhoods, and mobile feeding sites.
The Summer Food Service Program is a federal nutrition program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Indiana Department of Education. The program is designed to meet the needs of low-income children in areas where children may have limited access to good nutrition.