School feeding sites provide summer service

Students who stop at a site in Franklin for lunch during the summer will munch on locally grown vegetables.

And when students are done eating at one site, a teacher will organize math and reading activities for the students to participate in.

Some summer feeding sites open as early as today at some locations across the county.

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Franklin, Greenwood and Clark-Pleasant schools are offering 13 summer feeding sites, where children can stop and grab a free lunch.

Schools that have at least half of their students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch can offer summer meals where the costs are reimbursed through the USDA.

Local school districts have participated for years. Now, district food service managers are adjusting where food is served so they can reach more students in a more efficient manner.

And in Franklin, the program has become a place where students can get local food and can participate in programs.

Students who stop at one of Franklin’s six sites will eat cucumbers and cherry tomatoes grown at local farm in Morgantown, said Jill Overton, food services director at Franklin.

The school has a partnership with the farm during the school year and the farm told them that they could provide enough vegetables to feed all of the students during the summer too, said Overton.

Overton wanted the students who participate to have access to the fresh and locally-sourced fruits and vegetables if they had the chance, she said.

“To really, really have a truly local farm, I think the quality will be so much better,” she said.

Programming is part of Franklin Cove apartments feeding site since a teacher has stepped up to organize math and reading games for students.

Organizers of the three school districts’ programs expect to feed more than 1,000 students daily between all the sites, food service directors said.

Center Grove, Edinburgh and Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson schools do not have school sponsored feeding sites.

Students in Greenwood can get a hot lunch from Isom Elementary School, 50 E. Broadway St., Tuesday through July 21. Students who go to the city’s community center will also be fed, although that site is reserved for children enrolled in community center summer programs, said Cheryl Hargis, director of food services.

Sites at Clark-Pleasant are staying the same as in previous years, but the schedule has changed, said Kim Combs, director of food service at Clark-Pleasant Schools.

Students at all the sites will get a protein, grain and fruit and vegetables and students at some sites can get a hot entree, such as a chicken sandwich.

Franklin students will also be treated to pizza flat breads they can make themselves, similar to a pizza Lunchable, said Overton.

The feeding sites are important because they help families stretch their food dollars when the kids are at home, eating three meals a day, food service directors said.

“We look at it as a service to the community,” Combs said. “It is a program we run for parents to help meet that need.”

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What: Summer Feeding Sites

Clark-Pleasant: Wednesday through July 14. Excluding July 4.

• Break-O-Day Elementary School, 900 Sawmill Road, New Whiteland;11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Pleasant Crossing Elementary School, 3030 N. County Road 125W., Whiteland;11:30 a.m. to noon
• Summerfield Park, 275 W. Worthsville Road, Greenwood; 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• Greenwood Estates, 1598 U.S. 31 S., Greenwood; 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
• Village Crossing Apartments, 20 Village Crossing Drive, Greenwood;11 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
• Pebble Creek Club House, 225 Pebble Creek Drive, Greenwood; 12:15 to 12:30 p.m.

Franklin: June 5 to July 28. Excluding July 4.

• Northwood Elementary School, 965 Grizzly Cub Drive, Franklin 8 to 9:15 a.m.; 11 a.m.
• Traditions Apartments, 1600 Traditions Court, Franklin; 11:20 to 11:40 a.m.
• The Franklin Cove Apartments, 2015 Franklin Cove; 11:50 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.
• Northwood Apartments, 2018 Cedar Lane, Franklin; 12:25 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Franklin North Village, 57 Schoolhouse Road, Franklin; noon to 12:20 p.m.
• Country View, 11:30 to 11:50 a.m. Note: Meals served at this site are for residents of Country View only.

Greenwood: Tuesday through July 21. Excluding July 4

• Isom Elementary School, 50 E. Broadway St., Greenwood; 11 a.m. to noon.

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