Backus Community Center will once again feed hungry mouths this summer.
The Summer Food Service Program kicks off Monday and will run through Aug. 29, Monday through Friday, providing meals free of charge to all children ages 1-18.
“The meals are meant to take the place of the school lunch program for kids during the summer months,” said Ward Merrill, executive director of Backus. “Having been a teacher for 34 years, educators understand good nutrition goes hand-in-hand with kids’ ability to learn.”
Lunches will be served from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and Merrill said there are no income guidelines or eligibility requirements.
“Parents need to keep up on nutritional meals over the summer and that’s what this program aims to do,” Merrill said.
He added parents are welcome to eat with their children, and if they’re able to contribute toward the $3.60 cost of the meal, it is encouraged but not necessary.
The program is in its fifth year and has seen tremendous growth since its beginning. According to Merrill, the first summer the program was offered served about 3,500 meals. Last year, more than 7,600 meals were provided to the community.
“Every year, it continues to grow,” Merrill said.
It is easy, Merrill said, for some community members to take for granted a warm, nutritious meal. Others, he continued, don’t have the means to provide a meal for their family.
“Occasionally, we survey families who eat here and last year, one mother said their budget doesn’t allow the family to take special trips to McDonald’s,” he said. “She told me coming to Backus takes the place of that. It allows time away from home to be with friends and enjoy a good meal.”
Get active
In addition to free meals, Backus will also offer open gym from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to all ages.
“It’s just another thing that goes hand-in-hand with a healthy summer,” Merrill said.
He noted two adults will provide supervision in the gym, however, children under the age of 5 must be accompanied by an adult.
“Kids are welcome to come play with their friends, use our equipment and have a good time,” Merrill said.
The free activity is funded by the Minnesota Department of Education and the Otto Bremer Foundation and begins Monday, but will be closed June 9 – 13. During the summer months, there will be no Saturday open gym.
