SALISBURY – The expansion of a summer meal program offered by Wicomico County Public Schools will ensure that fewer area students go hungry when they’re not in school.
The Summer Food Service Program offered by Wicomico County Public Schools has expanded this year to include lunch service at eight Salisbury locations and breakfast and lunch service at four locations. Because children are not in school, the program operates in the community — at shelters, playgrounds and churches, among other places.
“Many families rely on nutritious meals we provide during the school year and some struggle with the continuity of those meals during summer months,” said Eric Goslee, director of food and nutrition services for Wicomico County Public Schools. “We would like to do our part assisting with meals when our schools are closed. In essence, hunger does not go away when school is closed.”
The program, which is designed to fill the nutrition gap for children of low-income families when schools are not in session, began June 23 in some locations and June 27 at others. It will run until Aug. 5. Meals will be provided on all weekdays except July 4.
School officials say the meals are available to all children without charge. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, gender identity, disability or any other factor.
Goslee said the Wicomico County Schools Food Service Department first began participating in the Summer Food Service Program when the school system was feeding the children of summer migrant workers while their children were receiving educational support when their parents were at work.
“It later evolved into feeding students that were part of our summer enrichment programs in our schools,” Goslee said, “and has continued to feed students attending summer programs in our schools and reaching out to feed children that are part of other summer programs or may spend some of their summer day at a playground or community center.”
Meals are being served at the sites and times as follows:
The Christian Shelter, 334 Barclay St., Salisbury: Breakfast: 8:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 12-12:30 p.m.
Doverdale Playground, Dover & Vaden streets: Lunch: 12-12:30 p.m.
Indian Village Playground, 916 Mineola Ave.: Lunch: 12-12:30 p.m.
Cathedral of Restoration, 607 N. Westover Drive: Breakfast: 9-9:30 a.m. Lunch: 12-12:30 p.m.
Camden Community Garden, 503 Camden Ave.; Lunch: 12-12:30 p.m.
Chipman Community Garden, 325 Broad St.: Lunch: 12-12:30 p.m.
New Dimension Church, 1907 Jersey Road: Breakfast: 8:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 12-12:30 p.m.
The Village at Mitchell Pond, Parsons Road, Salisbury: Breakfast: 8:45-9:15 a.m. Lunch: 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Those with questions are asked to call the Food Service Department of Wicomico County Public Schools at 410-677-4442 for more information.