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Feeding Hungry Kids Healthy and Free Lunches

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Jul 9, 2010 at 4:55 PM MST

Story Updated: Jul 9, 2010 at 4:55 PM MST

A new report found that Montana is one of the top five states in the nation when it comes to feeding hungry kids during the summer and a national USDA event is operating right here in the Treasure State doing just that.

It’s a sunny day at Memorial Park in Helena. Kids are running around the green grass, playing and laughing enjoying their summer. And when Robert Worthy turns on his megaphone, shouting “It’s 11:00, come get your lunch!” They all run to the stage in excitement.

When asked where she would be eating if she wasn’t participating in the Summer Food Program Sierra Sartorius says “McDonald’s or Burger King.”

And while a Happy Meal may be - well - "happy" - most parents can agree that fruits and veggies are a healthier meal option.

“They have like, different broccoli's, cauliflower and my kids love that kind of stuff, and apples and oranges and milk. It’s a good healthy lunch,” says Deena McGee who has brought all 3 of her kids to the program.

An average of 561 of those good healthy lunches are being served daily, five days a week in Helena and East Helena for free.

“I’d like to think that a lot of kids are eating a full lunch, and a full breakfast and a full dinner, but I don’t know if they are,” says Robert Worthy, the Director of Food Services for the Helena School District.

The Helena School District and Sodexo's Summer Food Program is feeding hungry mouths so kids don't have to worry about how they'll eat lunch during summer vacation.

“I’ll give you an example. When one of my school’s shut down last year, on the last day of school there, one little kid, a first grader came up to me and asked me where am I supposed to get lunch tomorrow? Just cause they have no idea. Some people don’t really know where they’ll get lunch for the next day. This here, knowing that this will always be there for them, it’s a good opportunity for the kids to know, I feel comfort in their lives knowing I’m going to be able to eat tomorrow. You try not to think about that but a lot of kids would simply go without of you see them… I had one kid grabbing ketchup packets the other day. I said what are you doing? And he says, I’m taking it for later. What are you going to do with it? We have those for lunch sometimes as snacks. Ketchup packets. Ok?” Worthy says.

With fresh fruits, vegetables and milk, parents are happy to see their kids wanting to eat well.

Parent James Irby, brings his kids to the program everyday and says “I think it’s really important. You know, given that they’re this young, they need to develop properly and get the right nutrition and vitamins and what not and the assortment they have there is great, he always eats.”

And healthy children, make happy children.

“I like that no matter what the food is it comes with a healthy meal and the food is really good,” says participant Sarah Bury.

The Summer Food Program runs through August 20th at a variety of locations around the state. Children up to 18 years-old are eligible for the program.

To find the location nearest you visit

http://mfbn.org/SummerFoodMT

For more information, or to volunteer, call Robert Worthy at 461-7939.


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