Colorado Springs kids benefit from District 11’s summer meal program

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Over summer break, Colorado Springs District 11 is providing free meals to any family in need.

The district usually holds the same program over the school year. During the academic year, they typically provide meals to around 4,000 people per day.

Last year, the turnout was low, providing roughly 1,000 meals in the week following the Fourth of July holiday.

However, officials said they did not believe the reduced turnout means there is a reduced need for food in the community. The current cost of groceries has increased 11.9% over the past year.

All meals provided meet nutritional guidelines for schools set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

District 11 says at their program they have an influx of kids coming to their sites to pick up food.

Now until the end of July, kids across Colorado Springs can grab themselves a brown paper bag filled with some goodies.

Janine Russell, Assistant Director of Food Services for District 11 believes this is extremely necessary now.

"You don't know what the meal is until somebody comes up to you and tells you how appreciative they are of the meal," added Russell.

The summer program has been around for decades, but right now with inflation affecting families, more kids are receiving lunch.

According to Feeding America, one in nine children faces hunger in Colorado. Officials say programs like this help those in need.

"I do know that for a while we were providing about six-thousand lunches a day," added Russell.

District 11 has 14 food sites right now that can be found across the city from schools, parks, Boys’ & Girls’ Club locations, churches, and mobile home parks.

"School district 49 and we also go down to Harrison school district because they don't have that opportunity so that is what allows us to feed more of our community," added Russell.

For Louis Kennedy, being a food service helper is personal.

"We didn't have this when I was in elementary school…So to see the kids eat and be healthy - that is amazing and helps out the community any way we can," said Kennedy.

Anyone 18 and under can utilize District 11's summer food service program.

Most sites are open from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

For more on their sites click here.