Free meal program offered for all children this summer

By Matthew Nash • June 21, 2023 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash/ Children enjoy chalk drawing after eating meals provided through the USDA Summer Food Program in 2018. The program continues this summer with free lunch on weekdays at several locations, and breakfasts at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Sequim and Port Angeles.
Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash/ Children enjoy chalk drawing after eating meals provided through the USDA Summer Food Program in 2018. The program continues this summer with free lunch on weekdays at several locations, and breakfasts at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Sequim and Port Angeles.

With school nearly out in Sequim, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula is readying to continue the USDA Summer Food Program.

During the school year, many children qualify for free or reduced lunches and with school out they might lose access to nutritious meals, according to club staff.

Any child 18 and younger is eligible to receive free nutritional meals on weekdays in Sequim and Port Angeles except during a Fourth of July closure.

Community volunteers and youth interns serve tens-of-thousands of meals each summer, club staffers report.

Sequim

Locations operate Monday-Friday, in Sequim from June 26-Aug. 30, except the Fourth of July.

• Boys & Girls Club, 400 W. Fir St.; breakfast 8:30 a.m.-9 a.m.; lunch noon-1 p.m.

• Carrie Blake Community Park, 202 N. Blake Ave.; noon-12:45 p.m.

• Elk Creek Apartments, 90 S. Rhodefer Road; 11:30-11:50 a.m.

• Greywolf Elementary, 171 Carlsborg Road; 11:30-11:50 a.m.

• Mountain View Court Apartments, 303 S. Fifth St.; noon-12:20 p.m.

• SeaBreeze Apartments, 525 McCurdy Road; 12:30-12:50 p.m.

Port Angeles

Port Angeles sites are already open, and will continue weekdays through Aug. 30, except the Fourth of July.

• Port Angeles Boys & Girls Club, Turner unit, 2301 S Francis St.; breakfast 8-8:30 a.m.; lunch noon-1 p.m.

• Dream Park (Erickson Park), 298-300 S. Race St.; noon-1 p.m.

• Evergreen Family Village, 2203 W. 16th St.; lunch 11:15-11:45 a.m.

• Jefferson Elementary, 218 E. 12th St.; lunch 11:30-11:50 a.m.

• Shane Park, 613 G St.; lunch noon-1 p.m.

• William Shore Pool, 225 E. Fifth St.; lunch noon-12:30 p.m.

Volunteer

Club officials say they seek volunteers throughout the summer, and those interested can reach the clubs at 360-683-8095, or by emailing Executive Director Mary Budke at mbudke@bgc-op.org.

Or, contact Resource Development Director Janet Gray at jgray@bgc-op.org.

The clubs also hire teens 15-and-older to prepare and distribute meals.

“We are uniquely positioned to work with teens and mentor employees with their first job, and we offer minimum wage and 20 weekly hours over the summer,” Gray said.

Those interested can contact the clubs at the same information above.

Additional food options

Sequim families and adults needing food can access Sequim Food Bank, 144. W. Alder St., through its drive through 1-4 p.m. Mondays; and 9 a.m.-noon Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, contact the Sequim Food Bank at 360-683-1205, or visit sequimfoodbank.org.

Port Angeles families and adults needing food can access the Port Angeles Food Bank, 632 N. Oakridge Drive, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; and 11 a..m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, contact the Port Angeles Food Bank at 360-452-8568, or visit portangelesfoodbank.org.