Jose 'JJ' Balderas
Springtown ISD will provide free breakfast and lunch throughout June as part of its Summer Feeding Program. The program is open to all children under 18 who are accompanied by an adult.
No registration is required and meals must be eaten on campus.
“Springtown ISD wants all children to have access to nutritious meals, in a safe and welcoming environment,” said Director of Child Nutrition Laura Champagne.
Champagne also said the program prepares enough food to serve everyone who attends and will not turn families away.
“This is a walk-in program,” she said. “We prepare enough food to feed everyone that shows up. We have a base number (of meals). Once we get a feel for the number of walk-ins, we can always make more so everyone gets a meal.”
Breakfast and lunch will typically be a hot meal along with vegetables and fruit. Serving menus will be posted weekly, depending on the demand.
“We try to serve out the meals students enjoy the most,” Champagne said.
She noted participation has steadily grown.
“Last year was a special year in that we had approximately 30 to 40 students come from the neighborhoods and that is the highest we ever had — not including students or summer school,” she said.
“It makes it all worthwhile for my ladies when people from the outside come to eat. It brings smiles to their faces to see that they are making a difference in the community — no child needs to go without.”
The program will operate Monday through Thursday and is located at Springtown Intermediate School, 300 Pojo Drive. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-8 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-noon.
