Summer programs offers some students breakfast and lunch

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Free meals are served to several dozen students at Lexington Park Elementary School thanks to an existing grant program and a federal meals reimbursement program, which is in place for the first time in St. Mary's County. Summer school for high school students also offers meals as does an 11-month Title I program.

Because of budget constraints, some of these summer programs could vanish next year at the same time wallets tighten in many households because of the recession.

For the meantime, though, students that might not otherwise be fed properly this summer do get to enjoy at least one nutritious meal five days a week.

"We're really excited to offer this. The fact that every kid gets to eat for free [and] no money is transacted," Mike Jones, supervisor of food and nutrition, said of the federal Summer Food Service program. "Under that, every kid eats for free, even if they don't qualify," he said.

Most of the costs that incur are reimbursed to the school system through the federal program, he said.

"[This program] bridges the gap from the end of the school year to the start of school," by providing children nutritious meals and learning opportunities, Jones said.

The Boys & Girls Club helps administer the summer program at Lexington Park Elementary, which is paid for with a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant.

The grant comes from the same source that pays for after-school programs at several county schools during the regular school year.

"This year we brought kids into that one site. We bus them in at 8 o'clock and they stay until 5:30 p.m.," said Mark Smith, coordinator of special programs for St. Mary's public schools.

The program operates for about three weeks from the end of the school year through July 7.

"We focus on inviting kids from Park Hall, Green Holly, Lexington Park and George Washington Carver attendance areas," Smith said.

He said that about 75 or 80 of the 100 students who signed up for the program attend every day for enrichment and academic activities. They also receive free breakfasts and lunches.

"I'm sure it's helping a lot of kids and families because this is a tough time, economically," Smith said.

The program was funded with leftover grant money from the school year that probably will not be available next summer, Smith said.

"I don't anticipate having the carryover to do it again next year," Smith said. "I don't want to rule it out, but it's not real likely."

There are other cafeterias operating during some of the summer in St. Mary's schools.

Breakfasts are served at summer school, which is held at Leonardtown High School. Meals are also served at Hollywood Elementary School for the New Horizons program serving students with disabilities.

Also, students in the Jump Start 11-month school year program receive breakfasts and lunches for four weeks during the summer. This is the last year for the federally-funded Title I program, which was trimmed to just two schools this summer and is due to be cut out completely next summer. The program was aimed at students from low-income families.

"We do try to get the kids that need it the most," Smith said of the summer programs. He said he will continue to look for ways to serve students who need extra help over the summer through grant programs.

"It's important, very important to have these programs," he said.

Other school jurisdictions, including Montgomery County, have opened schools during the summer for students to walk in during certain hours to receive a free lunch under the federal summer lunch program.

"There's potential for expansion, I guess," Jones said of the fate of summer lunches for St. Mary's students next year.

jyeatman@somdnews.com