The Burlington Community School District will provide free meals to those under the age of 18 on a first-come, first-serve basis via the Summer Food Service Program in June and July.
The Summer Food Service Program coincides with the district’s summer school programs and is not limited to Burlington students.
“If Grandma has little Johnny and little Mary visiting from North Carolina, they can come eat for free,” BCSD District Services Director Brian Johnson said. “If you see some place have (the Summer Food Service Program), you can pull in and your kids can eat for free. I wouldn’t plan your trip around it. I’m just saying you don’t have to be a Burlington resident, you don’t have to go to school here.”
Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
Here’s where and when to get meals:
- Edward Stone Middle School, 3000 Mason Road
- Monday through Thursday June 5-29
- Breakfast: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- North Hill Elementary School, 825 N. Ninth St.
- Monday through Thursday June 20-29 and July 10-27
- Breakfast: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Meals must be eaten on site.
Need a ride? Burlington Urban Service is offering free rides to students under the age of 18 beginning Monday, June 5, through the end of summer.
Lend A Paw Pantry
Lend A Paw Pantry, located at James Madison Education Center, located at 2132 Madison Ave., will continue to be open from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays throughout the summer.
Individuals may use the pantry up to two times per month.
The pantry currently serves about 240 households – or 780 individuals – per month.
Those wishing to utilize the pantry must fill out a The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) form once a year stating their income and the number of people in their household. Proof of income is not required.
The number of food items for which a person is eligible is dependent
upon the number of people in their household. Once that paperwork is complete, a volunteer will lead pantry-goers through the aisles to select the items they want from the shelves.
Pam Farr, who oversees much of the pantry’s operations, said food boxes can be made available for curbside pick-up for those who are unable to visit the pantry in person.
The pantry receives food items through the Food Bank of Iowa as well as through local food drives and donations. Items that are frequently needed include non-perishables, pastas and personal hygiene items such as shampoo and toilet paper.
