Schools recognize the need to feed
Summer meal programs coming soon
COLUMBIA BASIN — School may be out soon, but many school districts throughout the Basin will continue food service for children in the area during the summer months.
Many of the programs are being offered in conjunction with summer school camps. Most are provided at no cost and are open to students regardless of enrollment in a summer program, however parents should check with the local school district to verify.
"There is always a need to provide food for any child in the community," said Denise Mehal, business manager with the Soap Lake School District. "It's well worth the turnout of course; if we feed one kid it's enough."
Moses Lake School District food service director Katie Watland said this is the first time the district has offered a summer meal program open to any student.
Watland said for students who are either on free or reduced lunch during the school year or are in the area visiting, they may not have access to regular meals in the summer when school is out.
This summer is also the first time the Warden School District is offering a meal program.
Food service supervisor Jill Robertson in Warden said the district is curious to see what kind of a response the program will receive.
"We do have a high amount of (students who qualify for) free and reduced (lunch) in our district," Robertson said.
Check the listings below for dates and times of school meal programs throughout the Basin. Many programs are closed for July 4.
School District summer meal programs
Coulee City School District
No summer food program offered.
Ephrata School District
June 19 through Aug. 11, Monday through Friday
Columbia Ridge and Parkway Elementary schools
Breakfast 8 to 9 a.m.
Lunch 11:15 to 12:15 p.m.
Ages 18 and under
Grand Coulee Dam School District
June 26 through June 30 and July 10 through Aug. 10, Monday through Friday
Center school on the Skilskin campus
Breakfast 8 to 8:30 a.m.
Lunch noon to 12:30 p.m.
Ages 18 and under
Moses Lake School District
June 26 to July 26
Garden Heights Elementary
Breakfast 8 to 8:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Ages 19 and under
Othello School District
June 14 through July 20 at Othello High School
Breakfast 7:45 to 8:10 a.m.
Lunch 11:40 to 12:15 p.m.
Middle and high school students up through age 18
June 21 through July 20 at Lutacaga Elementary
Breakfast 7:45 to 8:10 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Young children starting at age 1 up through elementary age students
Quincy School District (Only for students enrolled in summer school programs)
June 26 through Aug. 4, Monday through Thursday
Pioneer Elementary
Breakfast 7:30 to 8:15 a.m.
Lunch is served at noon
Ritzville School District
July 10 through Aug. 3, Monday through Thursday
Ritzville Elementary
Lunch served at 11 a.m. to noon
Royal School District (Only for students enrolled in summer school programs)
July 5 through July 26
Red Rock Elementary School
Times are coordinated with summer school programs
Soap Lake School District
June 19 to July 28, Monday through Thursday
Soap Lake Elementary and middle/high school buildings
Breakfast 7:45 to 8:45 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ages 3 to18
Wahluke School District
*dates and times subject to change
June 13 through July 14, Tuesday through Friday
Mattawa Elementary
Breakfast 7:30 to 8 a.m.
Lunch 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ages 18 and under
Warden School District
June 26 through Aug. 10, Monday through Thursday
School district cafeteria
Snack 9 to 9:15 a.m.
Lunch 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Ages 18 and under
Wilson Creek School District
no summer food program
Check tomorrow's Herald for Boys and Girls Club summer food program list.