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For Immediate Release 06/16/08

Commission on Children and Families Announces the Return of Free Lunch Program for Youth

Contact: Matt Honoré, Lane County Department of Children and Families, 682-6785

There really is such a thing as a free lunch! Beginning June 23 at 62 sites across Lane County, free lunch is available to ALL kids ages 1-18, regardless of income.

Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation. Thanks to the Summer Food Service Program, a federally funded lunch program for kids, children in Lane County can fight hunger and eat for free this summer.

How do kids get free lunch?
They just need to show up at the free lunch sites. Lunches are generally served between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday from June 23 to August 22. For more information on site locations and times, call Food for Lane County at 343-2822. Summer Food sites are spread throughout the county at various schools, churches, parks, and community centers.

Local sponsors of the Summer Food Program include Food for Lane County, Eugene School District 4J, and Junction City School District. With the help of these Summer Food sponsors, it is projected that over 128,000 free meals will be served to children in Lane County this summer.

According to Children’s First for Oregon, 41 percent or about 12,245 of Lane County Children receive free and reduced priced meals during the school year. These kids are especially at risk for hunger during the months school is out.

Studies show that poor nutrition contributes to a host of immediate and long-term consequences, including risks to health, psychology, behavior, academic achievement and development. The Summer Food Service Program ensures that children continue to grow and learn during the summer by providing at least one healthy meal each day during the week.

The Lane County Commission on Children and Families and local sponsors are working together to increase awareness and participation in the Summer Food Program. Outreach efforts such as bus advertisements, banners, and poster displays are being used to encourage as many children as possible to take advantage of this free lunch program.

The Lane County Commission on Children and Families purpose is to connect, energize, and mobilize the community to increase and sustain its ability and effectiveness to promote the health and wellness of all Lane County children and families.

For more information contact: Karen Roth at Food for Lane County, 541-343-2822 or visit www.foodforlanecounty.org

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Amber Fossen
Public Information Officer
Lane County Government
125 E. Eighth Ave.
Eugene, Oregon 97401
(541) 682.3718
(541) 359.9143 (cell)

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