Volunteers, donors essential to program

In its first three weeks, the North Liberty Summer Lunch & Fun program served more than 750 free meals to children at the North Liberty Community Center.

As a city resident, I want to thank dozens of volunteers and donors, but particularly three members of the North Liberty Unity Coalition.

Tracey Mulcahey, assistant city administrator, works tirelessly to raise money, coordinate logistics and prepare amazing entrees.

Tina DuBois, director of the North Liberty Community Pantry, is essential to organizing and recruiting volunteers, including crews from MediRevv and the pantry.

Judy McRoberts works with area churches to prepare and serve meals on Wednesdays.

Other volunteers include area residents, staff from the city library, recreation center and Police Department, teachers and school resource aides, a HACAP dietitian, an instructor from Sweet Feet Yoga and a Forevergreen Garden Center butterfly expert.

Gifts have been provided by JM Swank, the Optimists Club, MidAmerican Energy, Great Western Bank, Hills Bank and Trust, Johnson County, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, area residents and fundraisers held by staff at North Central Junior High and the Iowa Medical Classification Center.

Table to Table occasionally provides bread. Red's Alehouse donates food each Thursday.

Despite its success, the program needs donations of disposable dinnerware, milk and healthy food.

The program, open to children up to 18, runs weekdays through Aug. 18, with lunch served 11:30 a.m. to noon and activities from noon to 1 p.m.

If you can help, contact the program via its website at http://nlsummerlunch.wordpress.com.

Sara Langenberg

North Liberty