Lexington Two Kicks Off Summer Meal Program
The summer season has been brightened for students in the Lexington Two School District with the launch of this year’s summer meal program. The program, which is federally funded, aims to provide a free breakfast and lunch each day for children aged 18 years and younger. To qualify, children must be present, and the meals must be consumed on-site.
Program Operation and Timing Details
The program will be administered at several different locations throughout the suntime weeks, according to a recent press release from the school district.
Airport High School will serve meals Monday through Thursday from June 3 to July 17, with breakfast being served from 7:15 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon. The program will take a break during the first week of July.
Fellow high school, Brookland-Cayce, has also joined in the initiative, dishing up meals Monday through Thursday from May 28 to August 1, with an observance of a break in the program during the first week of July as well. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon.
The younger students of Cayce Elementary School will also partake in the program, serving up meals from July 15 to July 25 with breakfast from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon.
Riverbank Elementary, with the same programming break during the first week of July, is distributing meals Monday through Thursday from June 17 to July 17. Their breakfast hours are 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. while lunch is served from 11 a.m. to noon.
Meals will be available Tuesday through Thursday at Wood Elementary from June 11 through July 18. Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon. They will also be closed the first week in July.
Other sites such as the Lexington Two Performing Arts Center and Glen Forest School will also serve meals throughout the summer period, with all sites working to ensure children in the area are well-nourished during summer vacation.
Impacts on the Community
Across the wider community, these types of initiatives are recognized to be instrumental in helping to battle childhood hunger and ensuring that all children have access to nutritious meals, even when school is out. Research has shown that when children have access to steady and nutritious meals, they are better equipped to reach their full academic potential.
Additionally, there is no application or proof of income needed for children to access these free meals – they just need to show up at a participating location.
This program is a shining example of how school districts and the wider community can come together to support the health and development of our youth.
