Free summer meals available to Iowa kids in need

CEDAR RAPIDS - By the end of this summer, the Iowa Department of Education expects to distribute a million meals and snacks to kids in Iowa who might otherwise go without a nutritious lunch now that school is out. And it's still not enough, officials say.

When the final bell dismissing classes for the summer rings, many school-age children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches at school face a problem: finding a consistent, nutritional meal for lunch.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates it will have provided more than 200 million meals nationwide to children under age 18 though its Summer Food Service Program, administered through state education departments.

The program works with partners like school districts, non-profits organizations, churches and recreation centers to set up the meal sites.

'The program is still not reaching the need of Iowa children,” said Stephanie Dross, an education consultant at the state education department.

Anjali Budhiraja, a USDA public affairs specialist, said the average daily attendance at its Iowa meal sites for July 2013 was 13,607. In July 2014, it had grown to 16,016.

The summer meal sites are selected based on incomes in the surrounding area. Fifty percent or more of the students in the area must be eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches, Budhiraja said. Dross said more than 195,000 Iowa students qualify. This year, there are more than 300 open summer meals sites in Iowa.

'Sometimes when income gets low, it's nice to have something like this,” said Desiree Northrup of Cedar Rapids, the caregiver of two children.

Northrup said she typically takes the kids several times a week to a lunch site near their home operated by Horizons, A Family Service Alliance,

'They get excited just when I say we're coming over here,” she said. 'I think it's wonderful for children. I really do.”

For Northrup and the kids, the food site provides more than food. It creates a situation where children can interact and even encouraged to read.

The consequences of a child not having consistent access to nutritious meals include health and developmental issues, poor academic performance and behavior problems, Dross said.

Programs like Horizons that partner with the USDA are reimbursed for the meals eaten. Budhiraja said the USDA gave $3.1 million in funding to Iowa for summer meals in 2014.

Jenny Barnett, a community health manager for Horizons, said turnout varies from site to site and day to day. The top factor that determines turnout is weather, Barnett said.

This year, Horizons operates 18 sites in and around Cedar Rapids. Each is open for half an hour on weekdays. Fifteen of them are open to anyone up to 18. Three are closed sites that require the child receiving meals be enrolled in a program.

Horizons sites serve hot meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays a sandwich is served.

'All USDA programs have to follow nutrition guidelines,” Barnett said. 'It's a well-rounded meal.”

Getting the word out about programs like these to families who need to know can be difficult. Dross said school districts try to get the word out before school lets out for the summer. Another effort to spread the word is printing information on store receipts at Dollar General and Family Dollar, she said.

According to the Iowa Department of Education, other open USDA partners in the Corridor include the Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids, the Iowa City Community School District, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and the Salvation Army of Cedar Rapids.

To locate the nearest site, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or choose the United Way line after dialing 211.