by Ann Wondergem
Hunger does not take a summer vacation. Hunger is as real today as it was five years ago, when a number of community organizations partnered to provide a summer lunch program for children. The summer meal program is available through a partnership of Nourish, the Boys & Girls Club of Sheboygan County, the Sheboygan Area School District and the United Way of Sheboygan County. With approximately 50% of children enrolled in the Sheboygan Area School District receiving free or reduced meals during the school year, it continues to be important to help feed children during the summer months.
2015 is the sixth year, a summer meal program will be offered at various locations in the City of Sheboygan. This year the summer meal program, both breakfast and lunch, will be available Monday - Thursday of each week beginning Monday, June 22nd through Thursday, July 30th. Children 18 years of age and younger are eligible. School locations offering breakfast include Jefferson, Longfellow, Grant, Wilson and James Madison elementary schools and North and South high schools. Lunch will be offered at these school locations as well as the Early Learning Center and Central High School. For more specific information on where meals will be served and the times the meals will be available, please visit www.sheboygan.k12.wi.us.
In addition to enjoying lunch, every Thursday the children have an opportunity to taste the featured fruit or vegetable of the week. Volunteers from the Nourish program provide a short educational program which includes showing the children the actual plant, showing them a picture of where it grows such as on a tree, in the ground or above the ground and what vitamins and nutrients the fruit and vegetables provide to help us stay healthy. Plus, for at least taking a small bite of the featured item, the child gets a sticker.
I still remember the little girl from five years ago. She had long black hair, a scrunched up nose and big brown eyes telling me she wanted the sticker but she was not going to eat her slice of cucumber. With a little coaxing, an offer of some ranch dressing; she quickly took a small bite. Her eyes got even bigger as she smiled and ate the rest of the slice of cucumber and asked for more. The next week, she told me that she and her Mom had bought cucumbers at the farmer’s market. With a giggle, she shared that carrots were still her favorite vegetable, but cucumbers were now her second favorite.
The most important partner needed for the Summer Meal Program is YOU. Volunteers are needed to help distribute the meal items, help – especially the younger children with their meals, and assist with clean up. To learn more about these important volunteer opportunities, please contact the Summer Meal Program Volunteer Coordinator at 920.912.2593 or e-mail her at volunteersummerlunch@gmail.com. Individuals and groups are invited to volunteer – so gather your friends, co-workers and family members for one day or more and help feed the children.
Nourish needs volunteers for the Thursday educational program. For more information on volunteering for Nourish please contact Nourish at 920.889.1615 or e-mail Nourish at heather@nourishfarms.org.
As a Summer Meal Program volunteer, I have received more than I have given. I remember the smiles, the hugs, the thank you’s, and especially the child who said, thank you – this is the only meal I will have today. Please join me and volunteer to help.