Summer Meals Available for Ohio County Youth
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WHEELING -- Youths can gather to eat free meals this summer at locations throughout Ohio County.
The meals -- lunches, and in some cases also breakfast - will be available to all children ages 2-18, explained Renee Griffin, child nutrition director for Ohio County Schools.
No registration is necessary, and the youth does not have to reside in Ohio County to participate.
"Just show up and have a meal," Griffin said. "But it will have to be consumed on-site. It can't be taken home."
No adult meals will be provided, she added.
The program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will be served at the following times at these locations:
– Chambers YMCA: June 5-July 28. Breakfast is from 7:45 a.m. until 9 a.m., and lunch from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.
– Salvation Army, 33rd Street: June 5-July 28. Lunch served from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
– Hil-Dar: June 5-July 28. Lunch provided 11:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m.
– Warwood School: June 5-July 28. Lunch available beginning at 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
– Wheeling Park High School: June 5-July 21. Will serve students attending extended school year and science camps breakfast from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m., and lunch from noon until 1:30 p.m.
– Ritchie Elementary: June 26-July 21. Serving extended school year students breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., and lunch from noon until 1 p.m.
– Oglebay Park Wagon Shed Shelter: June 12-July 28. Lunch will be provided there from 11 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
– Bridge Park Pool: June 12-July 28. Lunch served from 12:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
– Grandview Pool: June 12-July 28. Lunch will be available from 12:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
– House Of The Carpenter: June 5-Aug. 4. Breakfast will be provided to youths from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., and lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
– West Virginia University Extension science camp at Dimmeydale Playground Shelter: June 12-16. Breakfast available from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., with lunch served from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
The free meals can be popular during the summer.
"The number each day varies," Griffin said. "Some days we serve over 1,000 meals. Somedays, only a few hundred.
"A lot of families really depend on school meals, and (the summer meals program) is a great way for them to continue to get them."
While some sites may offer some programs and events to entice youths to come eat, typically this isn't needed, according to Griffin.
"The socialization and community togetherness is enough, ultimately," she said. "Parents, bring kids and let them enjoy a meal during the summer, and go on with your activities."