Salem-Keizer Public Schools offers kids free summer meals

Samantha Hawkins
Statesman Journal

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is providing free breakfast and lunch to kids ages 1-18 over the summer, beginning June 17. 

"Each year we see how real the need is in our community for this," said Lillian Govus, the school district's communications director. "It's a pretty good reminder that a lot of our kids-- they don't eat unless they come to school." 

61% of the 41,824 students in Salem-Keizer School District qualify for free or reduced price lunch during the school year, but far fewer are able to take advantage of the the district's summer meal program, which is available to all students regardless of income. 

According to data from Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, only 9% of the students in Polk County and 14% of students in Marion County that qualify for free and reduced-price lunches during the school year eat meals at the district's summer program, resulting in a lot of hungry kids.

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"Summer can be the hardest time for families," said the organization's executive director, Annie Kirschner, who mentioned that long walks and working parents can make it hard for kids to make it out to the locations. 

But the program is still used by many families. The most popular location last year saw about 50 kids for breakfast and 85 kids for lunch every day. "We absolutely hear from families that the meal kids get at school is hugely important," said Ian Dixon-McDonaldof the Marion-Polk Food Pantry. "If those meals were to go away that would have a huge impact."

The 11 sites could be expecting more students this year, as food-insecure families will no longer be receiving extra grocery money over the summer through the Oregon Department of Human Resources' 6-year debit card program, which didn't receive funding to continue. 

"It's been really disappointing for families," said Kirschner, who added that the program served about 70,000 kids each summer and reduced hunger by about one third in the families who received it. "The harsh reality is we are going to see hunger go up this summer." 

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Students eat lunch at Auburn Elementary School in Salem on Jan. 16 2019.

Free summer meals are available starting June 17, in 11 locations:

  • Auburn Elementary
  • Eyre Elementary
  • FACES Family Daycare Literacy & Resource Center
  • Grant Elementary
  • Highland Elementary
  • Kennedy Elementary
  • KROC Center
  • Richmond Elementary
  • Stephens Middle School
  • Washington Elementary
  • Wright Elementary

The Boys & Girls Club is also offering free meals at four locations: 

  • Keizer Boys & Girls Club
  • Knudson Boys & Girls Club
  • Swegle Boys & Girls Club
  • West Salem Boys & Girls Club

Families can see all locations online at summerfoodoregon.org

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