Children at almost 100 camps, churches and community centers are enjoying free lunches this summer because of a grant through the Metropolitan Action Commission.
The commission is putting together and delivering some 6,000 meals a day to children in low-income neighborhoods throughout the city. The goal is to offer a balanced meal to children who may otherwise go without, said Lisa Gallon, spokeswoman for the commission.
"When school is out, there is no opportunity for children to get the meal they would typically get during the day," she said. "Also, with the economic struggles some of the families are having, this is a really needed resource."
All the meals are made in-house by a staff of 33 seasonal employees, hired to help assemble and deliver the food.
The lunches are usually fresh deli sandwiches with lettuce and tomato, a piece of fruit, juice and milk. Chicken salad is also a popular option — the commission surveys students and camp leaders at the end of the summer to get feedback on favorites.
73 percent in Metro qualify
The program is funded by a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and targets areas where more than half of neighborhood children qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches during the regular school year. In the Metro Nashville school district, almost 73 percent of students qualify.
Other Nashville-area counties are participating in the program as well. For example, Rutherford County Schools serves free breakfast and lunch to anyone under the age of 18 during June and July at seven select locations.
Any child under 18 can eat at a lunch site in Nashville also, even if he or she is not enrolled in the summer camp or program at the location. Last year, more than 170,000 lunches and 41,000 breakfasts were served, according to the commission.
At Hartman Park Community Center in North Nashville, the meals break up an otherwise busy day of sports, ballroom dance and other activities.
"It's a wonderful program," said Marquis Stephens, camp director at Hartman Park.
"We don't have to come out of pocket for expenses," he said, "and the parents don't have to worry about paying for lunch for their child."
"When school is out, there is no opportunity for children to get the meal they would typically get during the day," she said. "Also, with the economic struggles some of the families are having, this is a really needed resource."
All the meals are made in-house by a staff of 33 seasonal employees, hired to help assemble and deliver the food.
The lunches are usually fresh deli sandwiches with lettuce and tomato, a piece of fruit, juice and milk. Chicken salad is also a popular option — the commission surveys students and camp leaders at the end of the summer to get feedback on favorites.
73 percent in Metro qualify
The program is funded by a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and targets areas where more than half of neighborhood children qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches during the regular school year. In the Metro Nashville school district, almost 73 percent of students qualify.
Other Nashville-area counties are participating in the program as well. For example, Rutherford County Schools serves free breakfast and lunch to anyone under the age of 18 during June and July at seven select locations.
Any child under 18 can eat at a lunch site in Nashville also, even if he or she is not enrolled in the summer camp or program at the location. Last year, more than 170,000 lunches and 41,000 breakfasts were served, according to the commission.
At Hartman Park Community Center in North Nashville, the meals break up an otherwise busy day of sports, ballroom dance and other activities.
"It's a wonderful program," said Marquis Stephens, camp director at Hartman Park.
"We don't have to come out of pocket for expenses," he said, "and the parents don't have to worry about paying for lunch for their child."
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