Scott City Lower Elementary
Scott City, KS
July 24, 2017
The fourth and final full week of Lunch Across Kansas Month kicked off at Scott City Lower Elementary, a site sponsored by Scott City Public Schools. Kids from all over town as well as Compass Behavioral Health’s summer program make their way to the school each morning for a nutritious breakfast. Site staff noted that they’ve had great participation over the summer, and the kids enjoyed drawing their favorite summer foods and activities.
Lunch with a Side of LEGO Batman
Dighton, KS
July 24, KS
After visiting Scott City’s breakfast program, I drove to the United Methodist Church in Dighton for lunch. This program, which is sponsored by the Kansas Food Bank, has strong community support from KSU Research and Extension and volunteers from organizations like Parents as Teachers, the hospital and more. Volunteers help to distribute the meals and lead activities. For example, kids could participate in cooking demonstrations that were conducted four times throughout June. On the day I was a the site, kids were excited to watch The LEGO Batman Movie.
Vacation Bible School Visit
Garden City, KS
July 24, 2017
For dinner, I met up with Bertha Mendoza, a KSU Research and Extension agent, at Iglesia Bautista Del Sur. This Garden City church hosts a fantastic program serving many kids of all ages in the community. I happened to visit during Iglesia Bautista’s vacation bible school, and it was evident that the kids were pumped for the week full of learning and activities. The base of volunteers and their enthusiasm to serve kids at this program was incredible, and the nacho meal was delicious as well! In Kansas, supper is the least common meal served through the Summer Food Service Program, so it was great getting the opportunity to visit a supper site.
Ross Elementary Breakfast
Dodge City, KS
July 25, 2017
On Tuesday morning, I visited a breakfast program at Ross Elementary. Though bright and early, the kids at the site were in great spirits and enjoyed contributing to the Lunch Across Kansas Month Traveling Mural. This is site is regularly visited by a few summer programs in the area, including a large group of kids from YMCA of Southwest Kansas. Ross Elementary is one of Dodge City’s sites that will be open for free summer meals all the way through August 18.
Sterling Elementary
Sterling, KS
July 25, 2017
Following breakfast, I hopped into my car, and made my way to Sterling for lunch. There was great attendance at this summer site, and the kids were eager to dig into the day’s menu—chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes. In addition to site staff, the superintendent and reporter from the local newspaper joined us for our Lunch Across Kansas visit. This site also offered free books kids could take home. Summer reading is important to ensuring school readiness when kids return from their summer vacations. Many children were able to walk to the site, and many were joined by their families.
Lunch at the Library: Olathe
Olathe, KS
July 25, 2017
On Tuesday, Rebekah visited Olathe Public Library's downtown branch, where teen volunteers help with setup, meal counting, food service, and cleanup at the Summer Food Service Program. The meals are served in a room in the middle of the action, near lots of book displays and the checkout desk. Snacks are available for parents who bring their kids to the lunch program.
Lunch at the Library: Hutchinson
Hutchinson, KS
July 26, 2017
On Wednesday, I stopped by the Hutchison Public Library to visit their site, which is sponsored by Hutchinson Public Schools. Many kids utilize a “walking bus” to get to this site safely. What this means is, volunteers, such as parents or daycare providers, coordinate to pick up kids on their walks to the library, much like a bus route would pick up kids. This helps to overcome the transportation barrier that many families face when it comes to SFSP accessibility. Libraries are fantastic sites, as they’re already natural gathering places for kids and families during the summer.
'Dotte Meals Rock!
Kansas City, KS
July 26, 2017
It was a rainy day on Wednesday, so there weren't many kids at our visit to Splitlog Farm in Kansas City. Josh Mathiasmeier, USD 500's School Nutrition Director, gave us a tour of the new 'Dotte Meals Rock food truck that delivers nutritious meals to kids at 3 or 4 sites every weekday in the summer.
Meals at the Parks
Clay Center, KS
July 27, 2017
I was excited to visit Clay Center’s program sponsored by Harvesters—the Community Food Network, which has two locations serving summer lunches: Dexter Park and Huntress Park. I met up with community advocate and volunteer Donna Long, who introduced me to site staff and volunteers. Upon arriving at the site, I was immediately greeted by a boy who I’d met in Sterling just two days before! His family was visiting Sterling, but they live in Clay Center. Seeing this family at both sites is a testament to how important this program is to many families throughout Kansas. The Clay Center sites also coordinate activities such as Snacks with Sonia (pictured below). Sonia works for KSU Research and Extension and leads activities that teach kids about healthy eating. By having two sites, Clay Center ensures that there’s access to the program throughout the community. Dexter Park is in a residential area and Huntress Park is located next to the city pool.
Poolside Snacks
Chanute, KS
July 28, 2017
I got to check out Cherry Street Youth Center’s final day of serving snacks at the Chanute Aquatic Center on Friday. Afternoon snacks at places like pools can ensure that kids don’t become fatigued after long periods of outdoor activities. Kids of all ages lined up to receive a nutritious snack.
Lunch at the Library: Lawrence
Lawrence, KS
July 31, 2017
Monday was the final day of Lunch Across Kansas Month, so we rounded out our tour close to home at the Lawrence Public Library, which is just a few blocks from our office. This location draws hundreds of kids each day who come from their homes, activities held at the library, the pool across the street and more. This program, sponsored by Lawrence Public Schools, offers a variety of options for kids to choose from. On Monday, kids could choose either a hot dog, chef’s salad or PB&J for their entre. Kids can then enjoy their meal on the large lawn next to the library, providing tons of space for kids to run and play (after their meals are finished of course). Lawrence has reported that numbers are up from last summer.
Scott City, KS
July 24, 2017
The fourth and final full week of Lunch Across Kansas Month kicked off at Scott City Lower Elementary, a site sponsored by Scott City Public Schools. Kids from all over town as well as Compass Behavioral Health’s summer program make their way to the school each morning for a nutritious breakfast. Site staff noted that they’ve had great participation over the summer, and the kids enjoyed drawing their favorite summer foods and activities.
Lunch with a Side of LEGO Batman
Dighton, KS
July 24, KS
After visiting Scott City’s breakfast program, I drove to the United Methodist Church in Dighton for lunch. This program, which is sponsored by the Kansas Food Bank, has strong community support from KSU Research and Extension and volunteers from organizations like Parents as Teachers, the hospital and more. Volunteers help to distribute the meals and lead activities. For example, kids could participate in cooking demonstrations that were conducted four times throughout June. On the day I was a the site, kids were excited to watch The LEGO Batman Movie.
Vacation Bible School Visit
Garden City, KS
July 24, 2017
For dinner, I met up with Bertha Mendoza, a KSU Research and Extension agent, at Iglesia Bautista Del Sur. This Garden City church hosts a fantastic program serving many kids of all ages in the community. I happened to visit during Iglesia Bautista’s vacation bible school, and it was evident that the kids were pumped for the week full of learning and activities. The base of volunteers and their enthusiasm to serve kids at this program was incredible, and the nacho meal was delicious as well! In Kansas, supper is the least common meal served through the Summer Food Service Program, so it was great getting the opportunity to visit a supper site.
Ross Elementary Breakfast
Dodge City, KS
July 25, 2017
On Tuesday morning, I visited a breakfast program at Ross Elementary. Though bright and early, the kids at the site were in great spirits and enjoyed contributing to the Lunch Across Kansas Month Traveling Mural. This is site is regularly visited by a few summer programs in the area, including a large group of kids from YMCA of Southwest Kansas. Ross Elementary is one of Dodge City’s sites that will be open for free summer meals all the way through August 18.
Sterling Elementary
Sterling, KS
July 25, 2017
Following breakfast, I hopped into my car, and made my way to Sterling for lunch. There was great attendance at this summer site, and the kids were eager to dig into the day’s menu—chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes. In addition to site staff, the superintendent and reporter from the local newspaper joined us for our Lunch Across Kansas visit. This site also offered free books kids could take home. Summer reading is important to ensuring school readiness when kids return from their summer vacations. Many children were able to walk to the site, and many were joined by their families.
Lunch at the Library: Olathe
Olathe, KS
July 25, 2017
On Tuesday, Rebekah visited Olathe Public Library's downtown branch, where teen volunteers help with setup, meal counting, food service, and cleanup at the Summer Food Service Program. The meals are served in a room in the middle of the action, near lots of book displays and the checkout desk. Snacks are available for parents who bring their kids to the lunch program.
Lunch at the Library: Hutchinson
Hutchinson, KS
July 26, 2017
On Wednesday, I stopped by the Hutchison Public Library to visit their site, which is sponsored by Hutchinson Public Schools. Many kids utilize a “walking bus” to get to this site safely. What this means is, volunteers, such as parents or daycare providers, coordinate to pick up kids on their walks to the library, much like a bus route would pick up kids. This helps to overcome the transportation barrier that many families face when it comes to SFSP accessibility. Libraries are fantastic sites, as they’re already natural gathering places for kids and families during the summer.
'Dotte Meals Rock!
Kansas City, KS
July 26, 2017
It was a rainy day on Wednesday, so there weren't many kids at our visit to Splitlog Farm in Kansas City. Josh Mathiasmeier, USD 500's School Nutrition Director, gave us a tour of the new 'Dotte Meals Rock food truck that delivers nutritious meals to kids at 3 or 4 sites every weekday in the summer.
Meals at the Parks
Clay Center, KS
July 27, 2017
I was excited to visit Clay Center’s program sponsored by Harvesters—the Community Food Network, which has two locations serving summer lunches: Dexter Park and Huntress Park. I met up with community advocate and volunteer Donna Long, who introduced me to site staff and volunteers. Upon arriving at the site, I was immediately greeted by a boy who I’d met in Sterling just two days before! His family was visiting Sterling, but they live in Clay Center. Seeing this family at both sites is a testament to how important this program is to many families throughout Kansas. The Clay Center sites also coordinate activities such as Snacks with Sonia (pictured below). Sonia works for KSU Research and Extension and leads activities that teach kids about healthy eating. By having two sites, Clay Center ensures that there’s access to the program throughout the community. Dexter Park is in a residential area and Huntress Park is located next to the city pool.
Poolside Snacks
Chanute, KS
July 28, 2017
I got to check out Cherry Street Youth Center’s final day of serving snacks at the Chanute Aquatic Center on Friday. Afternoon snacks at places like pools can ensure that kids don’t become fatigued after long periods of outdoor activities. Kids of all ages lined up to receive a nutritious snack.
Lunch at the Library: Lawrence
Lawrence, KS
July 31, 2017
Monday was the final day of Lunch Across Kansas Month, so we rounded out our tour close to home at the Lawrence Public Library, which is just a few blocks from our office. This location draws hundreds of kids each day who come from their homes, activities held at the library, the pool across the street and more. This program, sponsored by Lawrence Public Schools, offers a variety of options for kids to choose from. On Monday, kids could choose either a hot dog, chef’s salad or PB&J for their entre. Kids can then enjoy their meal on the large lawn next to the library, providing tons of space for kids to run and play (after their meals are finished of course). Lawrence has reported that numbers are up from last summer.
