La Crosse School District issued the following announcement on June 4.
When the school year ends, thousands of children in our community, who rely on free and reduced-cost breakfasts and lunches at school and surround care, are at an increased risk of going hungry.
Our local organizations understand the continued importance of available nutritious meals for children during the summer months. We have partnered together to help fill this gap by providing healthy and complimentary meals and snacks for those in our community who are under 18-years-old at more than 25 locations this summer.
“We’ll always support the needs of our students and families but especially now during these times of unprecedented circumstances we want those in our community to know we continue to have their backs,” said School District of La Crosse School Nutrition Director Marilyn Volden. “Helping parents meet the nutritional needs of their children is the passion of our team and the strength of this program.”
The joint summer food program will maintain the nutrition standards of school meal programs – including a strong emphasis on providing fruits and vegetables, milk, whole grains, and sensible calorie levels while allowing our sites to serve complimentary meals to all children.
“This program fills a void created when school lunches are not available,” said Sara Ashbeck, administrative director, Gundersen Nutrition & Hospitality Services. “Helping parents meet the nutritional needs of their children is the strength of this program.”
The partnership comes in addition to a variety of actions in our community to strengthen food security, drive down hunger, and put a greater emphasis on the importance of nutrition.
“Hunger has a lasting impact on the development of children,” said YMCA Director of Youth Development Jennie Melde. “Without access to nutrition-filled meals, kids can’t focus, become agitated, engage in risky behavior and ultimately, can’t reach their full potential. The summer food Program helps make sure kids can enjoy healthy and delicious meals and snacks all summer long.”
For a full list of all Summer Meal Service times and locations, please visit www.laxymca.org/food.
Partners involved:
- School District of La Crosse
- La Crosse Area Family YMCA
- The Salvation Army of La Crosse County
- Boys and Girls Club
- Gundersen Health System
- The Hunger Task Force
- City of La Crosse Parks & Recreation
Source: La Crosse School District
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