Summer lunch programs filling need

School districts, nonprofits offer children nutritious meals over break

For many families, the summer food service program is nice because it gets everyone out of the house and into their local sites to catch up with friends and enjoy a nutritious meal.

The federally funded program is operated nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

In Blair County, meals are served at the Altoona Area and Tyrone Area school districts, as well as some sites sponsored by The Nehemiah Project nonprofit organization and a site in Roaring Spring sponsored by Trinity United Methodist Church, according to the USDA's website.

Although the program ends this week at the Altoona Area, children age 18 and under can still enjoy a free meal through Friday at one of three locations: Juniata Elementary, Pleasant Valley Elementary or the Altoona Area Junior High School. Adults can purchase a meal for $4.85.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, the schools will serve French toast sticks with sausage, tater tots and a choice of fruit and milk, food service assistant manager Angelita Fisher said.

Alongside the mashed potato bowl, French toast sticks are among the most popular items sold each year, Fisher said, adding they cater to the children's favorite food items to entice them to visit school during the summer for a free meal.

Braxton Moschella, 10, said he's excited to have lunch today with his sister, Mia Moschella, 8, because French toast sticks are their favorite food.

The siblings are the children of Jessica Moschella, a learning support teacher at the junior high, who said they only come when Braxton and Mia like the meals being served.

On Monday, the siblings were enjoying some chicken nuggets and steamed corn at the junior high with their mother.

They were one of two families seen having lunch at the school during a brief visit early Monday afternoon.

Despite heavy advertising for the program, district officials reportedly did not see enough people take advantage of it this year, Fisher said, noting participation was up at the start of the program in June when summer school and other activities were in session.

Though it's hard to say for sure, the increase in the number of free lunches and meals churches and other organizations are doing these days might have hindered participation at the schools over the years, Fisher suggested.

Current figures for July show the district had just under 200 people participate at one of the three schools, Fisher said, adding there were hundreds of people participating when she started with the program about 33 years ago.

"We would love to see more people take advantage of it because our goal is healthy, nutritious meals," Fisher said. "People aren't utilizing the programs as much as they used to."

Charissa Yakemik and her daughter, Stella Diehl, 5, were also at the junior high school Monday.

After discovering the program last year, they decided to return this year, Yakemik said, noting they planned to visit the Altoona Area Public Library and spend time together afterward.

When asked what her favorite food was, Diehl initially pointed at her corn before lifting up a banana. In general, Diehl likes to eat fruits, Yakemik said.

Fisher said Altoona Area gets a lot of repeat customers year after year.

"I walk around and see the ones that keep coming back with their kids," she said. "Then we see the kids growing up and we hear that they're starting junior high, which is exciting."

Other offerings this week include beef and cheese nachos with steamed corn Wednesday; General Tso's chicken with steamed rice and broccoli Thursday; and cheesy breadsticks with sauce and a Caesar salad Friday. Each meal comes with a choice of fruit and milk.

Other sites

At Tyrone Area, the program runs through next Friday, Aug. 7. Breakfast is served between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. and lunch is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the USDA's website.

Similar to how it is at Altoona Area, meals are free for preschool and school-age children, 18 years of age or younger. Adults attending with their children can purchase a meal for $3.90, said Taylor Danko, Tyrone Area's director of food and nutrition.

Danko said she feels participation in Tyrone has been steady this year, possibly even higher than in previous years.

"We offer a wide variety for the kids to choose from, and we find participation seems steady due to other activities and events that go on within the school over the summer months," Danko said.

According to the USDA's website, Trinity United Methodist Church serves lunch from noon to 1 p.m. every weekday through Aug. 21. Meals must be eaten at the site, 434 E. Main St., Roaring Spring.

The Nehemiah Project is hosting a site at its address, 1809 11th St., Altoona, Monday to Friday through Aug. 31, according to the USDA. Breakfast is served from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Nehemiah Project also sponsors sites weekdays through Aug. 31 at Fairview Hills Apartments, 1614 First St., Altoona; Logan Hills, 1201 S. 27th St., Altoona; and Pleasant Village, 5919 Evergreen Court, Altoona.

Breakfast is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Fairview Hills Apartments; 9 to 11 a.m. at Logan Hills; and 9:30 to 10 a.m. at Pleasant Village, according to the USDA website. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pleasant Village and from noon to 1 p.m. at Fairview Hills Apartments and Logan Hills.

Additional information about the program can be found online at www.fna.usda.gov/sfsp.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.