Michelle Fagerstone with Second Harvest said the program has grown steadily since its inception.
“It started in 2012 and at that time we had three locations that over the course of the summer served 2100 meals. Last year in 2015 we had 30 sites and served 75000 meals,” Fagerstone said.
Fagerstone said its No Hunger Summer program is in demand.
“Anytime you take a program in three years from 2100 meals to 75000 meals, right there that shows that the program is needed and is being utilized, ” Fagerstone said.
Fagerstone said the program is available to many.
“It’s open to any child 18 years and younger free of charge. The sites allow parents, grandparents or caregivers to also join them for a small fee. Usually it’s a dollar or two dollars for the meal. If a family says they can’t afford the dollar or two dollars then a lot of times we’ll just go ahead and serve them a meal becasue we don’t want them to go hungry either,” Fagerstone said.
Fagerstone said there are a number sites in the area.
“Many locations in St. Joseph. I mean we have some hot meal locations. We have cold meal locations, and then we have what we call the mobile lunch locations. We actually take a truck around. It’s a converted ice cream truck. We’re at Lake Contrary, Patee Park and Elwood City Park,” Fagerstone said.
Fagerstone said the list of sites along with schedules can be found on their website.
“Go to our website and click that little post it note up at the top and that will take you right to the locations. If you click on the locations it tells you the address. It tells you the time they are having it,” said Fagerstone.