Summer food program

More campuses are offering summer school and the number of campuses serving lunch for summer school students will increase. The program offers a free meal to any child who wants one from age 1 to 18, even if they aren't taking summer school classes.

"It's an excellent service for our kids. All school year they get to eat, and some kids need that during summer also," Hays principal Carolyn Gonzalez said.

She said the district has sent information out on the program to inform parents, and breakfast in particular is an important meal for all people.

The cost for the service: roughly $2 a meal. Food Service Director Terry Gooch said the government reimburses the district for each meal and allows them to offer the summer food for free to any children who wish to eat. He said ECISD doesn't make money on the program and couldn't offer it without government reimbursement. Those wanting to eat just have to show up while a meal is being served.

"The best thing is that they don't have to do anything. Pretty simple," Gooch said.

Serving the meals in conjunction with summer school also minimizes the cost.

"We do it anyway, so combining the two makes sense," he said.

He said last year averaged around 400 students a day for breakfast, 700 for lunch. He anticipates more this summer with the economy.

The economic downturn has increased the number of cafeteria workers to apply to work over the summer as well. About 40 will serve the 12 sites receiving ECISD food during the summer, including UTPB, which will host some camps for district students.

"We have seen applications to the point we are signing up the extras to be substitutes," Gooch said.

Elementary campuses in the program will all serve food from June 3 to July 1, while Nimitz and Bowie Junior Highs will serve from June 8 to July 29. Gooch said that's because the secondary schools have longer summer school sessions. After July 29, students won't be able to get meals at school. He said the department needs time to clean and perform routine maintenance on campus cafeterias.

"Unfortunately they are on their own then, but we want to do everything we can to help keep kids from going hungry," he said.

SERVING CAMPUSES

>> Lamar Early Education, June 3 to July 1.

>> Cameron Elementary, June 3 to July 1.

>> Milam Magnet Elementary, June 3 to July 1.

>> Dowling Elementary, June 3 to July 1.

>> Goliad Elementary, June 3 to July 1.

>> Hays Elementary, June 3 to July 1.

>> Bowie Junior High, June 8 to July 29.

>> Nimitz Junior High, June 8 to July 29.

>> Ector Junior High (Camp Scholars in Progress), July 13 to July 23.

>> UTPB (Camp Falcon, Math Plus and Tex Prep), June 3 to July 23; June 8 to June 18 and June 22 to July 23 respectively.

>> Woodson Boys and Girls Club, June 8 to July 23.

>> Wilkerson Boys and Girls Club, June 8 to July 23.