Childhood Hunger
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Summary:
The stumbling economy and a continuing strain on wallets has increased the need for the program in Crawford County the past two years.
August 7
More Youth Enjoy Free School Lunches
Bucyrus Telegraph Forum
Terricha Bradley
August 5, 2009
Every summer, children benefit from a local Summer Food Service Program that provides free lunches courtesy of the Ohio Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture.
The stumbling economy and a continuing strain on wallets has increased the need for the program in Crawford County the past two years.
In June, Bucyrus served more than 2,000 free lunches to children, said Lorie Pennington, food services director for Bucyrus City Schools.
She said it was an increase over last summer.
“Our goal is to feed hungry children. We all have the same goals,” Pennington said. “We had a high turnout at two new sites — Assembly of God and Bucyrus Public Library.”
The Summer Food Service Program runs June through August at several sites in Bucyrus and Galion.
Children 18 and younger eat free in communities where 50 percent of children are eligible for free and reduced lunches.
Because of the way the program benefits are determined, volunteers don’t have to check each child’s household income before they eat.
The government reimburses meals at National School Lunch Program rates — $3.18 for self-preparation and $3.13 for vended food service companies.
Mary Kershaw, assistant director of the summer food service program for the Ohio Department of Education, said July is the biggest month for the program.
“Attendance is a little higher this year, based on economics and food costs,” Kershaw said. “But we’ve seen a dramatic increase of sponsors and the length of time operating programs.”
Common program sponsors are school districts and private non-profit organizations.
Bucyrus City Schools and the Galion Community Center YMCA facilitate seven sites including sites at Aumiller and Lions Parks, and East Park and the Center-Y in Galion.
Bucyrus children, like 7-year-old Latasha Bays, enjoy the free lunches because it gives them energy to play and be productive.
At Bucyrus Public Library, Latasha and 20 other children ate ham and cheese sandwiches, vegetables, fruit and drank chocolate milk.
“It’s good because I just like to eat lunch,” the girl said. “I had the carrots, too.”
The Galion program averaged 60 children a day for lunches and served more than 1,000.
A $500 grant from Children’s Hunger Alliance went to materials, transportation and staffing.
Children’s Hunger Alliance is a statewide non-profit agency that is working to eradicate childhood hunger. The group collaborates with ODE to increase sponsors and sites.
Surrounding counties — like Richland, Marion and Ashland — had summer food programs this year and higher attendance rates.
The counties have an unemployment rate above 10 percent.
Marion City Schools started serving free lunches at this year’s county fair, an unprecedented move.
“Marion City is in great need. What hinders us is that we are such a rural area,” Teresa Vermillion, food services director for Elgin Local Schools, said. “Marion City served 3,000 lunches, quite a bit for such a rural area.”
Vermillion has run the program for for eight years and has established free-meal sites in Prospect and New Bloomington.
Elgin Local Schools saw a 3- to 5-percent increase in program attendance this year.
Wyandot County is the only nearby county without a summer food program.
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