Boys & Girls Club to offer free summer meals

MOSES LAKE — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin will be offering breakfast and lunch for children again this summer. And this time, they’re offering it in more places.

“We’re doubling our location sites,” said Cecily Hendricks, director of operations for the club.

Breakfast and lunch will be served at the McGraw Clubhouse and North and Midway elementary schools, according to an announcement from the club. Lunch only will be served at Lakeview, Maple Grove and Doolittle parks. They’re free to any child 2-18 years old; there’s no need to be a Club member, the announcement said. Parents can pick up meals for their children by filling out a form. Because Moses Lake qualifies as rural, the meals don’t have to be eaten onsite.

“Kids can show up, get their sack lunch and go eat it anywhere they want,” Hendricks said.

The meals are made at the McGraw Clubhouse and driven out to the distribution points in special cold cases, Hendricks said. Breakfast will consist of milk, fruit and a whole-grain-rich item, she said, and lunch will include fruit, a vegetable, a sandwich or wrap and milk. It’s all planned by the Club’s nutrition coordinator to conform to state guidelines, Hendricks said.

“We’re going to be doing a lot of different types of flatbread wraps, croissant sandwiches, SunButter and jelly – fresh options for the kids,” she said. “What we did last year that was super successful and fun; we had a little toppings bar for the kids with different (things) like olives, pickles, chipotle mayo, sprouts, different types of vegetables for them to try on their sandwich if they want.”

The Club is partially reimbursed for the food by the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Hendricks said, and makes up the difference through supplemental grants.

Meal service will begin June 10 and run through Aug. 8 except for July 4, according to the announcement.

“We’re deeply committed to making sure that no kid goes hungry,” Hendricks said. “So, we’re really hoping to help bridge the gap and reach even more kids this summer by doubling our sites.”

Summer meal locations

McGraw Clubhouse
425 N Paxson Drive
Breakfast: 9:00–9:30 a.m., lunch: 12:00–12:30 p.m.

North Elementary
1200 W. Craig St.
Breakfast: 9:30–10 a.m., lunch: 1–1:30 p.m.

Midway Elementary
502 S. C St.
Breakfast: 9–9:30 a.m., lunch: 12–12:30 p.m.

Lakeview Park
802 S. Clover Drive
Lunch: 12–12:30 p.m.

Maple Grove Park
1008 W. Aspen Road
Lunch: 12–12:30 p.m.

Doolittle Dream Park
1016 Vandenberg Loop NE, Moses Lake
Lunch: 1–1:30 p.m.

    The Boys & Girls Club’s sandwiches will be offered with a toppings bar so children can customize their lunches.