[June 13, 2011] Summer program feeds children Tweet Jun 09, 2011 (The Carroll News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- School-aged kids looking for a bite can turn to a familiar place this summer. Once again, the Carroll County Public Schools, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Virginia Department of Health, will be providing free breakfasts and lunches to children through the warm-weather months as part of the Summer Food Service Program. "It's a really good opportunity for kids in the area who wouldn't ordinarily have a chance at a free meal to get one," said Matt Morris, Carroll County Director of Dining Services. Morris said the program was initially implemented before Chartwells -- the company that handles the school system's foodservice -- came on board and the company maintained the program once it was in place. He said the program is funded by the Department of Agriculture and overseen by the Virginia Department of Health as a way to provide food for children who might not have the opportunity to have a meal. Morris said the kids can just show up and eat -- no strings attached. "All you have to do is show up. There's no paperwork," he said. "Show up and there's breakfast and lunch during the times they're available." He said the meals provided will be foods preferred by children, such as hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets and more for lunch, and a variety of biscuits for breakfasts, as well as a couple of different types of cereal. "It's pretty simple, kid-friendly food," Morris said. Morris said a lot goes into the program and the schools don't see much from it in the margins, but the satisfied bellies of the kids it serves more than make up for it. "It's a lot of work for us to do the program; you just barely break even, but it's a really good thing," Morris said. "Last summer, we had pretty good participation so I'm hopeful some of the same people will come back with some more. The more meals we serve, the better it is for everyone." From June 13 to June 24, breakfasts will be provided beginning at 8 a.m. with lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Hillsville Elementary, Woodlawn, St. Paul and Carroll County Intermediate. From June 16 to July 29, those times will be in place for meals at Carroll County High School, except July 4, when the school will be closed. Morris said he hopes the children of the county come out and fill up. "There are a lot of kids that could take advantage of this program that don't," Morris said. "That's the tough part. It would be great if they did." To see more of The Carroll News, go to http://www.thecarrollnews.com/ Copyright (c) 2011, The Carroll News, Hillsville, Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]