About two weeks ago during a phone conversation, the caller shared with me how the child next door shared with her that today they would not be eating.  The caller then told me how she proceeded to prepare a package that included a box of cereal, gallon of milk, loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter for the child to take home.  A great example of neighbors helping neighbors.  Unfortunately, the face of a child who is hungry is not always evident.  This is one of the reasons the Sheboygan Area School District is addressing the need through its participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program, and has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Sheboygan County, Nourish, and the United Way of Sheboygan County, to provide free meals for area students this summer.

Today just happens to be the first day of this Summer Nourishment program.  With about 54% of children enrolled in the Sheboygan Area School District eligible for free and reduced lunch, these meals are needed during the summer months.  Meals are available at several locations for all children age 18 years of age and younger. 

The following locations will be serving the free meals Monday - Thursday this summer:

• Grant, Jefferson, Longfellow, James Madison, and Wilson Elementary Schools: 

Breakfast 7:45 - 8:15 a.m. and lunch 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

• Central High School: Lunch 10:45 - 11:15 a.m.
• Early Learning Center: Lunch 11:15 - 11:45 a.m.
• North High and South High Schools: Breakfast 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. and lunch 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  

The Free Summer Meal Program runs from June 22 - July 30, 2015.

Volunteers are still needed to help with this summer nourishment program.  Volunteers help distribute the meal items, especially helping the younger children, and assist with general clean up. To learn more about this important volunteer opportunity, please contact the Summer Meal Program Volunteer Coordinator at 920.912.2593 or e-mail her at volunteersummerlunch@gmail.com.  As you help feed a child you are showing them you care about them as well as supplying them with what is necessary for life, health and growth.

Nourish needs volunteers for their Thursday educational program. Each Thursday the children are introduced to a seasonal fruit or vegetable.  They learn what it looks like in its natural state, how it grows, and the vitamins it provides; then they get to taste the fruit or vegetable.  For some of the children this may be the first time they saw a kohlrabi or red pepper.  For more information on volunteering for Nourish please contact Nourish at 920.889.1615 or e-mail Nourish at heather@nourishfarms.org. 

Please join me and volunteer to help with the Summer Nourishment program because when you nourish a child’s body and imagination you give the child what is needed to stay healthy and flourish.