DENVER — A free lunch program offering food to low income children during the summer is starting at various locations on Tuesday. Jewish Family Service Lunchbox Express yellow school buses will make multiple delivery routes, covering various cities around the Denver metro area throughout the summer months.
The program targets residential areas with a high percentage of children who typically receive free or reduced-fee lunches at school during the school year.
Children age 18 and under are eligible for the service. No proof of income or identification is needed. The service does not require proof of where the children live or attend school either.
Meals will be available at the following sites, dates, and times, Monday through Friday (except July 4):
LAKEWOOD
May 30 to August 11, 2017
Mountair Park
5620 West 14th Avenue, Lakewood 80214, 11:00–11:30 a.m.
Ray Ross Park
680 South Harlan Street, Lakewood 80226, 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Morse Park
8180 West 20th Avenue, Lakewood 80214, 12:30–1:00 p.m.
LIBRARIES
May 30 to August 11, 2017
Wheat Ridge Library
5475 West 32nd Avenue, Wheat Ridge 80212, 11:00–11:30 a.m.
Lakewood Library
10200 West 20th Avenue, Lakewood 80215, 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Belmar Library
555 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood 80226, 12:30–1:00 p.m.
SOUTHEAST
Joe Shoemaker School (June 5 to August 18, 2017)
3333 South Havana Street, Denver 80231, 11:00–11:30 a.m.
Spencer Garrett Park (May 30 to August 4, 2017)
11008 East 17th Parkway, Aurora 80010, 12:30–1:00 p.m.
DENVER
June 5 to August 18, 2017
Godsman Elementary School
2120 West Arkansas Avenue, Denver 80223, 11:00–11:30 a.m.
Westwood Opportunity Center
855 South Irving Street, Denver 80219, 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Westwood Park
4951 West Kentucky Avenue, Denver 80219, 12:30–1:00 p.m.
WESTWOOD
June 5 to August 18, 2017
CMS (Schenck) Elementary School
1300 South Lowell Boulevard, Denver 80219, 11:00–11:30 a.m.
Knapp Elementary School
500 South Utica Street, Denver 80219, 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Goldrick Elementary School
1050 South Zuni Street, Denver 80223, 12:30–1:00 p.m.
OTHER
Sheridan Recreation Center
3325 West Oxford Avenue, Sheridan 80236
Lunches will be served Monday through Friday, June 5 to July 28, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Skinner Middle School
3435 West 40th Avenue, Denver 80211
Lunches will be served Monday through Friday, June 5 to June 29, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Arvada Library
7525 West 57th Avenue, Arvada 80002
Lunches will be served Monday through Friday, May 30 to August 11, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
The program operates as a sponsor of the USDA's Summer Food Service Program, a federal program that makes lunches available during the summer at approved sites. The nutritionally balanced packaged meals and milk are served by volunteers from a re-purposed mini-school bus.
"We added the books as well so we can feed the stomach and feed the minds and the combination of addressing hunger and education are so interconnected,” said Shepard Nevel, CEO of the Jewish Family Service program.
For families who struggle financially, the boost is a big benefit.
“All year long I've been sending them to school where they get that and suddenly and I know parents do that every day they make breakfast and lunch for their kids, but for families who don't have a lot and we rely on food stamps, it's a God send for us,” said Megan McMinn, who brought her two children to eat lunch. “Everything helps, I mean I didn't expect the books either and my kids are avid readers so that's just a little extra icing on the cake you know?"
The free lunch is served on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to sign up to volunteer.
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