Lawrence Summer Food Program in full swing

The Lawrence Summer Food Program, which offers free food to youth, begins Monday. The program has added an additional location this year, the Lawrence Public Library Plaza.

“Any youth can come,” said Susan Johnson, coordinator for the program. “They need to eat and need healthy food.”

The program provides free breakfast and lunch at various sites around town Monday through Friday. An adult must accompany anyone under 4 years of age. Adults may also purchase lunch for $3.45 and breakfast for $2.15.

Johnson said the program helps reduce childhood hunger during the summer months when the need is the greatest.

Last year, the program served 8,739 breakfasts and 35,358 lunches throughout the summer. While that sounds like a lot, Johnson said, she knows many of those served are repeat kids, and there are others who could benefit.

“We just know that we need to reach more,” she said.

The new site, with its proximity to the Outdoor Aquatic Center and the Lawrence Public Library, is aimed at getting more preteens and teens to take part in the program, Johnson said.

“We’re trying to go to where the kids are,” she explained.

Lawrence Public Schools’ Food Service Department organizes the program and prepares, serves and delivers the food. Menus are available on the department’s website.

The program is administered by both federal and state agencies. Locally, the program is sponsored by: Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, City of Lawrence Parks & Recreation, K-State Research and Extension-Douglas County, Lawrence Public Library, Lawrence Public Schools Food Service Department, Just Food and LiveWell.

Breakfast and lunch sites

June 1-July 24

7:30-8:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Pinckney Elementary School, 810 W. 6th St.

Prairie Park Elementary School, 2711 Kensington Rd.

South Middle School, 2734 Louisiana St.

Lunch-only sites

Lawrence Public Library Plaza

707 Vermont St.

June 1-Aug. 7, excluding July 3

12-1 p.m.

Broken Arrow Park, 29th and Louisiana streets

July 27-Aug. 7

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 E. 15th St.

June 1-Aug. 7

12-1 p.m.

South Park Gazebo, 1141 Massachusetts St.

June 1-Aug. 7

12-1 p.m.