By Trent Moore
T.J. Franey, a grant writer for the Cullman County Board of Education, said she believes the system’s summer feeding program can truly make a difference in a child’s life.
“Last year, a parent at Hanceville came every day and brought her six kids with her, every day,” she said. “They ate all summer, and all she ever had to do was pay $2.50 for her adult meal. That’s when you know it’s worth it.”
As part of the program, free breakfast and lunch will be provided for all children at almost every county school this summer.
“It provides a free breakfast and a free lunch at no cost to anyone,” Franey said. “It’s open to all children.”
All children under the age of 18 — regardless of where they are from or where they go to school — are eligible to participate.
“It doesn’t look at the financial status, if they’re from Cullman County or anything like that,” Franey said. “It’s a federal program that covers everyone.”
Twelve county school campuses — including Parkside School, Cold Springs School, Fairview School, Garden City School, Good Hope School, Good Hope Primary School, Hanceville School, Holly Pond School, Harmony School, Welti School, Vinemont School and West Point School — will be serving food.
The program begins on June 1 and lasts until July 2.
Franey said the beauty of the program is that it ensures all children will have access to at least two meals a day throughout the summer.
“Especially during these bad economic times, it’s important we make sure no children have to go hungry,” she said. “If parents can just get them up there, they can get a meal.”
Children at the schools for events such as summer school, band camps and team camps can also take advantage of the program, Franey said.
“It’s also open to Bible schools, cheerleading camps and just whatever may be going on at the campus,” she said. “There is a band camp hosted at Good Hope, and [the organizers] said this increased participation, because it keeps the cost down for the camp, by having a free breakfast and lunch included.”
Franey said the school system covers the up-front costs for the program, but are later reimbursed by the government.
“This is an optional thing for us to do,” she said. “It makes everyone busy, but you know it’s worth it.”
Meals can include anything from pizza to cheeseburgers — though Franey said they are sure to meet basic nutritional requirements.
“We change things up to see what the kids will like,” she said. “But, it has to be nutritionally sound.”
Breakfast is served from 7 - 8:30 a.m., and lunch is served from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Children under the age of 18 eat free, while adults can pay $2.50 to eat.
‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.
