Summer program aims to keep kids fed

Caitlin Hudgins

Friday, May 21, 2004 | 4:36 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

May 22- 23, 2004

Kids will choose cookies over broccoli any day. But what if a child is hungry, cookies aren't an option and a healthy meal is available for free?

This summer, eligible children ages 1 to 18 can get healthy lunches for free or for a reduced price at any of 31 Las Vegas Valley locations. The kickoff of the Summer Food Service Program will be June 7 at the University United Methodist Church, 4412 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas.

More than 95,000 children in 113 schools are eligible for the free or discounted meals, which usually include a sandwich, fresh fruit, vegetables and milk. The program serves children who probably would otherwise only eat a bag of chips and a soda -- or nothing, Kid's Kitchen Coalition manager Alicia Davisson said.

But although 46 percent of students qualified in 2002 for the free or reduced-price meals, only 34 percent took advantage of the program. By offering more sites and enabling kids to eat close to home, the program hopes to increase those numbers.

The Summer Food Service Program, promoted by Kid's Kitchen, is now in its second year, serving about 40 to 50 children per location. The program, designed mainly for students on summer breaks from classes, also offers activities for its participants, including nutrition workshops and movies.

"We want to make sure all the kids get served and have recreation, too," Davisson said.

Nevada spent $1.3 million in 2002 to sponsor the Summer Food Service Program, of which the Clark County School District received $25,000. The remainder went to nonprofit organizations that sponsor the program.

Part of the money comes from Northern Nevada Food Bank, which received a grant from the Healthy Nevada Fund, part of Nevada's tobacco settlement money. The grant covers the organization of the program and the efforts to make the public aware that the meals are available.

Nevada State Bank, Southwest Gas and the women's organization Soroptimists of Greater Las Vegas also are helping the effort.

The U.S. Agriculture Department covers the cost of food in a reimbursement deal in which the Nevada Education Department distributes meals and gets paid back by the federal government.

"Clark County is unique because it is a year-round school system," so various schools are on "track breaks" at different times during the summer, Education Department Child Nutrition Program consultant Karen Vogel said.

The meal program is exactly the same in the summer as during the school year -- it provides the same lunch the students would receive if classes were in session.

"Just because they are out of school, that doesn't mean we should neglect their nutrition," Vogel said.

The summer program is supervised by school district staff at school locations and by non-profit organization leaders at other sites. There is usually one well-trained supervisor at each location, supplemented by additional staff or volunteers as the number of participants rises, officials said.

Thirteen schools serve as Summer Food sites. The schools are age-appropriate, Northeast Region Supervisor Denise Barfoot said. Elementary-age children, constituting the majority of participants, return to elementary schools for lunch, middle school-age students go to middle schools and high school-age kids gather at high schools.

This year, the program will gain up to 25 more school sites and 20 new nonschool sites, including Boys and Girls clubs and community centers.

Lunch is offered at most locations from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., but some sites also offer a later meal from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to feed students after school. A few locations also offer breakfast.

Davisson said the free meals help improve performance in classes because "if they (the kids) are not hungry, they'll be more efficient in school."

For more information or to volunteer for the Summer Food Service Program, call 732-7098.