First Lunch and Play of the summer
It was a busy day at Alameda Park in Pocatello. Today was the first day of the Lunch and Play program put together by the Pocatello Chubbuck School District and Portneuf Health Trust.
For the 18th year School District 25 has teamed up with community partners to put on the Lunch and Play program.
“This program was developed years ago by USDA to be kind of a ‘stop-gap’ during the summer. Of course, they’re out of school and sometimes they don’t get a full balanced meal so this helps provide that during the summer for about ten weeks,” says Tom Wilson, Food Service Coordinator for School District 25.
“The kids are our future society, I think it’s really important to be healthy and here they get a free lunch that’s a well-balanced meal and they also get physical activity,” says Megan Poe, with Portneuf Health Trust Inc.
Today’s physical activity was courtesy of the Pocatello High School cheer team.
“We have a bunch of stations set up today, I’ve got some of my girls playing basketball with the kids, we’ve got some leapfrog going on, and we’ve got some of my girls teaching some cheers and a whole bunch of different activities,” says Carly Johnson, head cheer coach.
The program means a lot for those kids who may not have access to a well-balanced meal when they’re out of school
“I see these little kids, and a lot of times they’ll just come through and they’re so appreciative of getting a nice meal and a smile, that’s really what they’re after, and it just warms your heart,” says Wilson.
And for some in the community, it’s a good way to get out and have fun.
“I’ve got food at my house that I can feed my kids, but look, it’s a community thing. It’s not about getting a free park lunch, it’s about everybody getting together and everyone having a nice day, come out here and hang out and let the kids play together. That’s what I think it’s about,” says Nick Brown, visiting the park with his kids.
The program goes until August 10th Monday through Friday 11:30-12:30. Physical activities are offered at Alameda Park from noon to 1:00 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Lunch is served at Alameda, Bicentennial, Caldwell, Hawthorne, OK Ward, Raymond, Lower Ross Park, and New Horizon Center.
