By Kelly Young
kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com
With more than 70 percent of the students in Jacksonville schools qualifying for free or reduced lunches because of their parents’ economic status, summertime can present a hardship for families unaccustomed to paying for their children’s lunches.
Recognizing this problem, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church will once again be offering its Summer Food Service Program for children under the age of 19 — providing a free lunch to many children who otherwise may not be able to afford lunch during the summer months.
“Any child that is hungry, between the ages of 1 and 18, is invited to come eat with us. Everybody is welcome,” said Father Mark Kusmirek of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Starting June 9 and continuing through Aug. 28, the program will run Monday through Friday at two locations in town — at the church from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. and at the Sweet Union Apartment Complex from noon to 1 p.m.
The program has grown steadily since it came to Jacksonville three years ago. In its first year, the free lunch program was forced to shut down early due to lack of participation, but last year as many as 70 children came to the church each day for a free meal. Program planners hope to be able to maintain last year’s level of attendance in light of increased fuel costs.
“We are hoping to keep the attendance level where we had it last year, but of course it would be wonderful if we could exceed that,” said Anna Paredes, director of religious education at Our Lady of Sorrows. “We are extending the date for the program this year to begin right when school ends and to continue until classes start up again.”
In order to assist those families who have trouble transporting their children to the two Jacksonville locations, the church will make trips with its van to several spots around town; including a number of local mobile home parks. Kusmirek said anyone interest in the program who is unable to get their children to one of the lunch locations can call the church at 903-586-4538, and volunteers will do everything in their power to make accommodations.
All the Summer Food Service Program’s food is provided free by the East Texas Food Bank. Lunches range from ham-and-cheese sandwiches to fish nuggets to baked chicken. Last summer, the food bank delivered more than 118,000 free meals to 27 participating sites in 11 counties.
“The families and kids have been very, very appreciative. This program is a wonderful thing — I love to see the kids enjoying themselves. Seeing the smiles on their faces makes it all worth it,” Paredes said.
At least once a week the church volunteers intend to have special activities planned for the kids, either an arts-and-crafts project or a movie. Later in the summer, Our Lady of Sorrows will also be starting a program to provide free school supplies for underprivileged children.
“Feeding and taking care of kids are things that are very dear to our hearts. We try to run our fastest and jump our highest to help our children,” Kusmirek said. “We wish we could help them seven days a week, but if we are able to feed a kid just one day a week so he doesn’t go to bed hungry, I’ll be happy.”
Local News
All Jacksonville children invited for free lunch at catholic church
- Local News
-
-
Agencies gearing up for Memorial Day weekend
The school year is wrapping up, and summer is almost here, but officials have some holiday safety tips to ensure the Memorial Day weekend is safe and fun for everyone.
-
Street blocked for sewer work
A portion of Bolton Street was blocked off Thursday as public works crews worked to find the source of a sewer stoppage.
-
Fourth-graders give scholarships, learn about college
As Tomato Fest approaches, officials with West Side Elementary school will have a booth to raise money for their West Side Elementary Alumni Scholarship given to graduating seniors.
-
Bullard council tables website decision
The Bullard city council tabled a decision on moving forward on a project for a new website design due to a lack of information.
-
LMC employees receive furlough notice
All but a core minimum group of Lon Morris employees received furlough notices Wednesday morning, and college President Miles McCall handed in his letter of resignation Tuesday, officials said Wednesday.
-
JISD alters graduation requirement for pair of subjects
Seniors at Jacksonville ISD will no longer have to take technology and health as a graduation requirement.
-
Rusk ISD lunch prices to rise 25 cents
A rise in school lunch prices is among several changes slated for Rusk ISD cafeterias.
-
County boasts 'pretty good' turnout
At the half-way mark of early voting for the May 29 primary, 1,485 Cherokee County voters turned in their ballots at the polls.
-
Organizations provide summer lunches for students
As schools approach summer vacation, Jacksonville has four locations offering free meals to students through the Summer Food Program.
-
Dome homes
Within the gated community of Lakewood in Cherokee County, homes are being built, ones so unique realtors can count how many they have seen on one hand.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Agencies gearing up for Memorial Day weekend
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
