FIRST REPORT: New summer lunch buses feed Lakota students
The program, which is funded by federal grants, served 15,000 meals last summer and Lakota officials said it’s earned a second year of operation.
“It was so successful last year, we’re going to keep the buses rolling,” said Craig Hatfield, senior director of business operations for Lakota.
“We’re basically keeping it in the same structure and function,” said Hatfield. “The program is trying to reach out to students who are home during the summer and provide a healthy and nutritional meal when they may not have it.”
The two buses will make deliveries Mondays through Fridays, starting May 30 through Aug. 9, with no service on July 3 and July 4.
Lakota officials have targeted seven of the district’s communities in West Chester and Liberty townships with larger percentages of low-income families.
Lakota nutrition program officials say in many low-income families, both parents or a single parent works and are not around during the lunch hours to provide food for youngsters and teens.
The program is conducted with the help The Faith Alliance and the Butler County Success program. Teen volunteers help distribute the food from buses at seven stops in various West Chester and Liberty township communities.
Of Lakota’s 16,500 students, more than 3,500 families qualify for the $147,000 federally subsidized program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lakota Schools students who were eligible for free and reduced school meals during the 2015-2016 school year also qualify to participate in the school system’s summer lunch program.
Also, students younger than 18 who are part of households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits, or benefits under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible to receive free meals.
Lakota Acting Superintendent Robb Vogelmann described the program as “a vital service as many children just do not have access to adequate food sources over the summer.”
“No child in our community should go hungry and we are glad to help address this growing need,” said Vogelmann.
For more eligibility requirements and details on the seven lunch sites and times, call 513-644-1163.
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