Buhler USD 313 served over 1,500 lunches on Friday at Buhler High School and Union Valley Elementary School, according to discussion at the school district’s board of education meeting Monday evening.
Area school districts serve free summer lunches during the dog days of summer, allowing any child age 18 or younger to receive a meal, no questions asked. No income qualifications or applications are necessary for children to receive meals.
Summer meals are not a new program, but the recent surge in usage caused even the local police departments to direct traffic as children received lunch and breakfast.
These programs are not possible without the dedication of workers who prepare, cook and serve meals to thousands of children five days a week. We thank the workers who make the programs possible, because without them, the meals would not be available.
The Hutchinson Tribune is also thankful for school districts offering these programs to help ensure children receive nutrition over the summer. Programs that offer meals to all children, regardless of income, help make the case to continue it for those who need it. When children and families choose to have lunch at school during the summer, it shows that more than just those who may rely on school meals for nutrition benefit from the program.
Food scarcity is unfortunately a growing issue nationwide, but the summer meals programs play a part in ensuring that no child goes hungry. When children who may rely on free or reduced lunches can share a meal with their friends who are more financially stable without being seen as different by receiving a free meal, it fosters a welcoming environment for all children.
We also want to acknowledge the work school districts have put into establishing as many pick-up locations as possible. When a child can walk or ride a bicycle to grab lunch, it makes it more likely they’ll be able to benefit from the program if a parent is working or too busy to drive to a pick-up spot.
Multiple meal sites are available in Hutchinson, and because no registration is required, children don’t have to jump through hoops to receive food.
Hutchinson USD 308 recently added free breakfast to its meal service, beginning next year in August. Not only does the move give the district more flexibility in serving meals, it also benefits children who may be more focused on hunger than history.
Students who eat breakfast have been shown to pay more attention in class and achieve better test scores, and the free breakfast helps all students begin their day.
Programs that are easy to understand and approachable to use attract more participants. Reno County school districts have done their homework to publish locations and information on social and local media, and we thank them for their work.
We encourage all children and families to take advantage of the summer meals program, regardless of what district they live in or what school they attend.
All children deserve access to nutritious food, and that doesn’t stop at the last bell of the school year in May. Kudos to the school districts for continuing to serve free meals for any child who asks to be fed.
– The Hutchinson Tribune Editorial Board