Aurora – A few folks were lined up 15 minutes before the cafeteria doors opened at Peoria Elementary School, where several dozen people took advantage of the free lunch program.
“It really helps out the families,” Claudia Lopez said on a recent day last week, after taking two of her children to eat lunch at Peoria Elementary.
Just because school is out doesn’t mean children aren’t getting nutritious meals. Districts throughout the metro area are offering free breakfasts and lunches to children during the summer months under the federally funded program.
Aurora has 19 schools that offer free lunches to any child who lives within the district. Adults can get a meal for $1.95, $2.35 with milk. Adults are charged because districts do not get reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for those meals.
“Many of our students, because they come from low-income families, have a hard time getting a balanced meal when we aren’t in school,” said Linda Dallman, nutrition services director for Aurora Public Schools. “We kind of fill that gap.”
The Denver school district offers meals for children at 27 schools this summer, and also offers them to adults at a minimal charge. Same in Jefferson County, where more than a dozen schools offer free meals.
The meals are typically provided in schools where at least half the students receive free or reduced-price lunches.
A breakfast may consist of a bagel, cream cheese, fruit juice, milk and cereal. Sometimes eggs are served. Lunches can be anything from tacos to chicken to spaghetti with vegetables, a piece of bread and milk.
Some Jefferson County schools draw more people than others, ranging from 30 to 100 per day, said Shirley Brooke, director of food and nutrition services.
She said the district will serve an estimated 45,000 meals for about six weeks this summer, compared with the roughly 6 million meals it serves during the school year. About 22 percent of its student body is eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.
Receiving a free meal or two a day for one child – not to mention several children – can have a big impact for those on a tight budget.
“Summer comes along and suddenly there’s no access to the free meals program,” Brooke said. “For a lot of kids, that can impact them having multiple meals during the day.”
To find out whether your school offers free meals, call your district or check its website. Some districts send home fliers with children about the programs; some have automated phone calls inform parents. Jefferson County places big banners outside its participating schools.
Vladimir Martinez took his two kids to lunch at Peoria Elementary one day last week so they could eat with their cousins who were in summer school. He said every little bit helps.
“It’s like taking them to McDonald’s,” Martinez said of the outing. “And it saves a little money.”
Staff writer Carlos Illescas can be reached at 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com.
