DAYTON — Dayton Public Schools kicked off their summer food program on Tuesday, where children 18 and younger are able to receive free breakfast and lunch at various churches, camps and schools throughout the summer.
College Hill Community Church In Dayton was one of 30 locations to receive food today,
Fresh fruit, milk and sandwiches are just some of the items available in the meals provided by Dayton Public Schools. The meals will go to children participating in the Dayton Scholars Program at College Hill as well as other kids in the community who stop by.
Karen Lewis-Young, organizer of Dayton Scholars Program said, “We get tears. We gets lots of parents thanking the program.”
Lewis-Young started the Dayton Scholars Program four years ago as a way to help children who is behind in education. She soon discovered there was another way she could help these kids.
“Some of them are only having one meal a day that they can afford. So, we’re providing two means and we’re even providing meals for them to take home on the weekends to cover them,” Lewis-Young said.
There are about 30 plus kids participating in the scholars program and they each receive breakfast and lunch through the free summer food program while there.
“For breakfast they’ll be nutritional milk, juice and sometimes there will be a doughnut or pop tart. We’ve included some fruit and various items. Lunch will include sandwiches with a snack,” Lewis-Young.
The children at the church are not the only one benefiting from the meals. About 50 to 60 children from the surrounding community are able to pick up meals at the church.
Lewis-Young said, “Since COVID a lot of people have lost their jobs and they’re really struggling to support their families.”
Dayton Scholars has a partnership with West Dayton Caravan of Churches Clergy. They also partnered with DPS to run the Scholars Program inside the church, hire DPS staff and provide the free meals.
“This really support the food desert and giver our kids what they need to mentally be able to function, Lewis-Young said.
The summer food program runs until Aug. 6. There is still time for parents to sign their kids up for the Dayton Scholars Program this summer.
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