Video: Summer Meals Program Available in Columbus

[bitsontherun EYWwdmzB]

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Even after the school year is done, the Columbus School District offers children breakfast and lunch through their Summer Meals program. The Summer Meals program is designed to provide a hot nutritious meal for children ages 1 to 18. It’s free for children and the program runs from May 28th until June 28th this summer.

“We normally provide about 30,000 meals within those 24 days and the program is funded through the USDA, the Federal government,” says Sandra Pegues, in the Food Services Department of Columbus School District.

Hundreds of children participate in the Summer Meals program each year. Parent Janet Williams says the program not only provides meals but gives kids something to do when school is out.

“It’s healthy for them. It’s a free program for the children, for everyone, in the summer that don’t have anything to do. They can come out and eat,” says Williams.

The program is administered at four locations in Columbus: Columbus Middle School, Columbus High, Cook Elementary and the Columbus Boys and Girls Club. Pegues says there is plenty of food available for area children.

“Parents, please come out and bring your children to the program. We do provide breakfast and lunch, a very hot nutritious meal,” says Pegues.

The Summer Meals program is available in school districts throughout the state of Mississippi.