糖心视频

EIU Volunteers Help Staff Free Summer Meals Program for Children in Charleston, Ashmore

Jun-19-2014

School lunches are an important part of the nutrition for many school-age children -- especially for low- to moderate-income families. But, when summer comes, school lunches stop -- a challenge for many families, according to Rachel Fisher, director of Student Community Services at 糖心视频.

芒鈧�艙Summer can be a crucial time for hunger in our community,芒鈧�聺 Fisher said. 芒鈧�艙While proper nutrition is important throughout the entire year, it may be even more important in the summer as children increase their activity levels.

芒鈧�艙And that comes just at the time when they no longer have access to school lunch programs and resources,芒鈧�聺 she said.

That芒鈧�鈩�s why EIU decided to join with the Salvation Army from Mattoon to provide free lunches for children in Coles County. Funding for the program -- The Summer Meals Program -- is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Illinois State Board of Education.

芒鈧�艙The Salvation Army is doing a great job covering Mattoon,芒鈧�聺 Fisher said, 芒鈧�艙but we all agreed that there was a need in Charleston, as well.芒鈧�聺

EIU joined the program last year with an initial site at Kiwanis Park, but Fisher said they were concerned that they weren芒鈧�鈩�t reaching the heart of the community.

芒鈧�艙It was a great facility,芒鈧�聺 she said, 芒鈧�艙but we wanted to be right in a neighborhood where parents and kids could walk to the site.芒鈧�聺

So, this year, EIU is staffing two sites -- one at North Park in Charleston and a second at Ashmore Village Park in Ashmore. Two student volunteers -- Olivia Diggs and Kendra Moultrie -- staff the Charleston site from 11:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., and then are available in Ashmore from 1 until 1:30 p.m.

芒鈧�艙We serve any child 18 and under,芒鈧�聺 Fisher said, 芒鈧�艙and there is no requirement to show proof of age or residency. We just want to make sure that no child goes hungry.芒鈧�聺

In addition to the USDA funding for the lunches, the Salvation Army obtained a grant from Walmart to provide a take-home breakfast for the next morning, as well.

芒鈧�艙Providing that second meal is a real benefit to families,芒鈧�聺 Fisher said, 芒鈧�艙and helps make sure that children in this area get the food they need.芒鈧�聺

One additional feature of this year芒鈧�鈩�s Summer Meals Program is the availability of adult meals.

芒鈧�艙This year, if an adult wants to come along and eat with their children, they are welcome to do so,芒鈧�聺 Fisher said. 芒鈧�艙They just need to pay a modest fee of $2 to cover the cost of their meal.芒鈧�聺

Fisher said that she hopes the community takes full advantage of the opportunity because she芒鈧�鈩�s already planning to expand the number of volunteers for next year.

芒鈧�艙EIU students are dedicated year-round to our community,芒鈧�聺 she said, 芒鈧�艙and many students are eager to work directly with helping and interacting with local youth. There is a great passion and desire to make a true impact and difference.芒鈧�聺

Fisher also noted that community members are welcome to join with the EIU students and help out one or more days a week.

For information about the Summer Meals Program or any of EIU芒鈧�鈩�s volunteer efforts, call the Office of Student Community Service at 581-3967.