Summer
program feeds more than 800
children a day

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Sunday, July 25, 2010 4:01 PM MST

My mother always said it was important to have a good breakfast before I went off to school. Some children, however, don't have the option to have a good breakfast, and their main source of nutrition comes from their school lunch.

During the summer, those same kids would be at risk of becoming malnourished if it were not for the Safford Summer Food Program.

Nationally, the number of children at risk of hunger continues to rise. Last year, the not-for-profit advocacy group Feeding America released a report that stated an estimated 3.5 million children in the United States under the age of 5 are at risk of going hungry and not getting enough nutrition.

Rachel Barfus, 5, takes her lunch to the cafeteria table to eat. Photo by Jon Johnson

Additionally, data from the United States Department of Agriculture states hungry children may be more prone to illness and poor school performance than those who are well fed. The report stated hunger is one of the most severe roadblocks to the learning process.

In the Safford School District, more than 50 percent of its students are on either the free-or reduced-lunch program, according to Food Service Director John Walker. The high number of children who would otherwise have little or nothing to eat during the summer months is what prompted the creation of the Safford Summer Food Program.

Now in its ninth year of existence, the program provided an average of 800 meals per day in June and about 850 meals per day so far in July, according to Walker. The meals are free to all persons under the age of 18 regardless of their economic situation. Those 18 and over may purchase breakfast for $1.25 and lunch for $2. The program is funded by the Arizona Department of Education, and the Safford School District is reimbursed the cost of every meal served to anyone under the age of 18.

The program serves hot breakfasts and lunches at three locations – Safford Middle School, Dorothy Stinson and Vista Linda – and sack breakfasts and lunches at other sites throughout the Gila Valley, including the Safford Pool, Daley Estates Park and the Thatcher Town Park.

Some of the hot meals served include beef lasagna, fried chicken, cheeseburgers and spaghetti. Depending on the meal, side dishes include vegetables, fruits and starches. Each meal comes with a serving of milk.

Veronica Fernandez, 9, and her sister, Mariah Gibson, 7, told the Courier they liked the food served at the program and were glad it is healthy as well.

Their mother, Ashley Fernandez, said the meals were a convenient, low-cost method of feeding the whole family with no mess to clean up at home.

Christal Lunt brought her son, Logan, 3-1/2, and daughter Erin, nearly 2, on the day the Courier visited. She said she appreciated the program because while her kids aren't great eaters at home, they actually eat the food the program serves.

"It's been great," Lunt said. "They (her children) look forward to coming and eating their lunches. We usually come at least two days a week after story time. They love to come, and they eat good lunches because of it."

Safford School Board President Mike DeLaO has been part of the program since its inception and likes to contribute to many different facets of the program. He arrives in the morning to greet the families for breakfast, helps clean up and with the preparation of the sack lunches, hangs out for lunch and provides security by keeping a lookout for people without children loitering.

DeLaO said in addition to helping families feed their children during the economic downturn, the program also brings families together because they can take the time to sit down and have a meal as a family and talk to each other.

"Nowadays families don't have that time," he said. "Everybody's got a busy schedule."

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Comments

12 comment(s)

True American wrote on Aug 1, 2010 11:58 PM:

" Are you serious? Just another way to waste tax payers money. By tax payers I mean the people of the US that actualy go out and educate themselves and try to better themselves so they dont have to rely on other people for food. How pathetic. How lazy can you get? "

Something Doesnt Add Up wrote on Jul 30, 2010 2:52 PM:

" If all those folks can "drive" to the feed, why not save the gas and treat your kids to a meal at home with their parents? If you're there at the feed with the "nice" vehicles, how do the "needy" who have no transportation get fed? A dozen eggs = 69 cents on sale, bread almost as cheap, and milk can be had for $2.50 a gallon. I feed six for less than five dollars a meal at home. That includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. What gives? "

IDIOTS2 wrote on Jul 28, 2010 4:09 PM:

" (cont.)..why are people not being fully educated about this program? Do they NOT read the statement "The meals are free to all persons under the age of 18 regardless of their economic situation. Those 18 and over may purchase breakfast for $1.25 and lunch for $2. The program is funded by the Arizona Department of Education, and the Safford School District is reimbursed the cost of every meal served to anyone under the age of 18."? READ THE ARTICLE PEOPLE "

jimbo wrote on Jul 28, 2010 3:51 PM:

" Its socialist agendas we speak out against "real man". This program is for every child under 18 regardless of their parents financial situation?. In that case you should be for everyone with children gets food stamps, rich or poor! "

Not for FREE wrote on Jul 28, 2010 8:36 AM:

" I have news for you, nothing is for Free! Everyone is paying for this exploited service with higher taxes. "

A real man wrote on Jul 28, 2010 7:49 AM:

" A big thanks to Mike and everybody involved in this program. While my family is blessed to not have to take advantage of the food, I am glad it is there for those who are in need. I can think of few things sadder than a starving child. Those speaking against this program should be flogged. What kind of monsters are they that would take food away from a starving child? Take a good look in the mirror. By the way, your personal tax contribution is less than a cup of joe at Dunkin' Donuts so stop complaining. "

Pathetic Parenting 101 wrote on Jul 27, 2010 9:37 PM:

" The program is needed for kids with parents who can't or won't provide for them...not for the over achievers who cant seem to get them selves dressed in anything besides pajama pants and slippers before noon or the Soccer Mom Yukon and Suburban Pilots delivering their basketball team sized brood to eat on my taxpayers dime. Get your act together and show a little of the moral character you're always shoving down everyone's throat. "

agreed wrote on Jul 27, 2010 6:02 PM:

" I agree with "Funny thing is.." and "jimbo". Also, I'm sure there are some, but I don't believe we have 800 needy children in the valley. I don't like the idea that someone else is providing what parents are responsible for - on a daily basis. That's a lot of money coming from the department of education. There should be a better way to ensure the hungry children are cared for. "

Double Dipping wrote on Jul 27, 2010 5:45 PM:

" While I find the school meal program a noble effort, it is seriously flawed in practice. Not only do a lot of the families taking the food drive nicer vehicles than I can afford, the other half of the clientele is on food stamps. What are the chances that DES is reducing the food stamps allocation for families using the free meal program? I don't miss the good old days, but I do miss the good old ways like self-reliance and accountability. "

jimbo wrote on Jul 26, 2010 1:58 PM:

" Just more socialism creeping into our lives! They want you to become dependant on it. "

to funny thing wrote on Jul 26, 2010 11:25 AM:

" They want people to take advantage of it. Thats what it is there for!!!! If you are to proud to show up that is your problem!!!! "

Funny thing is... wrote on Jul 26, 2010 7:29 AM:

" The funny thing is when you drive by one of the places they are serving these lunches and look around at the different vehicals these kids parents are driving. They are quite a few of them driving very expensive suv's and trucks. I feed my child on my own dime. I can not afford half of the vehicals parked outside the cafateria. I have no problem feeding those who need it. just seems to me that a lot of people are taking advantage of the program.... "

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