By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
Families across the Wiregrass Area in Dale, Coffee, Houston, Pike, and Henry counties will have access to free summer meal programs for children and teens during the summer break, with schools and community organizations offering breakfast and lunch options aimed at helping combat food insecurity while school is out. Though the funding was nearly cut for this year, another vital program remains intact and is gearing up for a busy summer.
Dale County
Ozark Parks and Recreation recently announced its participation in the Free Summer Meals Program, which will provide meals to all children and teens ages 18 and under at the Autrey Recreation Center, located at 749 W. Reynold St. in Ozark.
According to the announcement, no registration or sign-up is required for participation.
Breakfast will be served Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., while lunch will be available from noon until 1:30 p.m.
Director Victoria Shaw with the Autrey Recreation Center said the program is designed to ensure children continue receiving nutritious meals while school is out for the summer.
“We just want to make sure kids in our community have access to healthy meals throughout the summer months,” Shaw said. “No child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from while school is out. Our goal is to make sure no child goes hungry this summer,” Shaw added.
Shaw also encouraged families to participate in the program and said the meals are available to all children and teens 18 and younger regardless of school enrollment or household income. Children can simply visit the center during the scheduled times and they will be fed a fully balanced meal.
Questions about the Ozark program can be directed to Ozark Parks and Recreation at 334-774-2042.
The Daleville City Board of Education also announced details for its Summer Feeding Program, which will also provide free meals for children ages 18 and under from June 2 through June 25.
Meals will be served Monday through Thursday at Daleville High School, located at 626 North Daleville Avenue.
Breakfast service will run from 8 a.m. until 8:15 a.m., while lunch will be available from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Officials noted that meals must be consumed on-site.
The Dale County Board of Education will operate several summer feeding sites across the county from June 1 through June 17 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
G.W. Long Elementary School, located at 2565 County Highway 60 in Skipperville, will serve breakfast from 8 a.m. until 8:20 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. until 11:20 a.m.
Ariton High School, located at 264 Creel Richardson Drive in Ariton, will also serve breakfast from 8 a.m. until 8:20 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. until 11:20 a.m.
Newton Elementary School, located at 523 College St. in Newton, will provide breakfast from 8 a.m. until 8:20 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. until 11:20 a.m.
Another Dale County feeding site will operate at Midland City Elementary School, located at 48 Second St. in Midland City, with breakfast served from 8 a.m. until 8:20 a.m. and lunch available from 11 a.m. until 11:20 a.m.
For more information about the Dale County Board of Education feeding sites, call 334-774-2355.
Coffee County
The Coffee County Board of Education will host a summer feeding site at New Brockton Elementary School, located at 504 N. John St. in New Brockton, from June 7 through June 24.
Meals will be available Monday through Thursday. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. until 8 a.m., and lunch will be available from 11 a.m. until noon.
For more information, call 334-897-5016.
Houston County
The Houston County Board of Education will provide meals at Rehobeth Primary School, located at 5525 County Road 203 in Dothan, from May 31 through June 10.
The site will operate Monday through Thursday. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. until 8:30 a.m., while lunch will be available from 11 a.m. until noon.
Houston County Schools will additionally operate a summer feeding site at Webb Elementary School, located at 178 Depot St. in Webb, from May 31 through June 10.
The Webb site also will operate Monday through Thursday, with breakfast served from 8 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and lunch available from 11 a.m. until noon.
For more information about Houston County feeding sites, call 334-805-4703.
Pike County
In Troy, the New Life Christian Church Academy will participate in the summer feeding program this year. Located at 601 Union Hill Road Troy, AL 36081, the New Life facility will offer two meals per day, Monday through Friday
Henry County
The Henry County Board of Education will offer meals at Headland Elementary School, located at 305 Mitchell St. in Headland, from May 31 through June 22.
The site will operate Monday through Thursday. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. until 8:20 a.m., while lunch will be available from 10:45 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. Meals at the site must be eaten on campus.
Henry County Schools will additionally operate a summer feeding site at Abbeville High School, located at 411 Graball Cutoff in Abbeville, from May 31 through June 22.
The Abbeville site also will operate Monday through Thursday, with breakfast served from 8 a.m. until 8:20 a.m. and lunch available from 10:45 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.
For more information about Henry County feeding sites, call 334-585-2206.
Summer feeding programs are offered in communities across Alabama each year through partnerships involving local schools, municipalities, and federal nutrition assistance programs. Organizers say the programs help provide reliable access to meals for children while easing some of the financial burden on families during the summer months.
To check to see if there is a location near you offering the feeding program, visit breakforaplate.com
