COLUMBIA, S.C. — Many school districts across the Midlands provide free summer meal programs to help kids eat while school is not in session.
One of those school districts is Lexington-Richland 5.
Shana Catoe is the coordinator of student nutrition services at Lex-Rich 5. She says this is an alternative, cost-effective way to feed kids.
“It’s important to us during the school year, but also when they’re out of school. Some kids just don’t have access. Parents have to work, food is expensive and so being able to provide those meals during the summer can help parents, you know, pocket a little bit because kids get home and seem to be eating a lot of food," said Catoe. “We are here to meet a need, and we know food costs is up, our pay checks aren’t going up with inflation, so we are a way for parents to get food for their children that they need and do not have to worry.”
In Lex-Rich 5, students can eat breakfast and lunch at several locations throughout the summer. On top of that, parents can pick up food to go from the Spring Hill High School bus loop. You just have to bring the child or their birth certificate.
Catoe says there are ways to customize and make the meals more unique.
“Utilize this service. If you don’t like how we pack it, take it home," said Catoe. "Put some lettuce and tomato on it and make it better, heat it up, but we’re here to serve the students and we want to do that.”
Here are links to school districts throughout the Midlands that are providing summer meals:
- Richland County School District One
- Orangeburg County School District
- Fairfield County School District
- School District of Newberry County
- Sumter School District
- Lexington-Richland School District Five
- Lexington School District Two
- Lexington County School District Three
Summer meals are available for Sumter County residents 18 years or younger. Students enrolled in summer school in Sumter School District are not eligible to receive summer meal bundles since Sumter School District Food Service already provides meals.
The program will operate on Thursdays, June 13, June 20, and June 27 and Tuesdays, July 2, July 9, and July 16 from 10 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. only from one of the following locations: Hillcrest Food Service Office, 4255 Peach Orchard Rd., Dalzell; Mayewood Middle School, 4300 East Brewington Rd., Sumter; or the F.J. Delaine Center, 5355 Cane Savannah Rd., Wedgefield.
Please note the following registration dates and times:
June 13: Will begin June 5 at noon and end Monday, June 10 at 4 p.m.
June 20: Will begin June 13 at noon and end Monday, June 17 at 4 p.m.
June 27: Will begin June 20 at noon and end Monday, June 24 at 4 p.m.
July 2: Will begin June 27 at noon and end Monday, July 1 at 4 p.m.
July 9: Will begin July 2 at noon and end Friday, July 5 at 4 p.m.
July 16: Will begin July 9 at noon and end Friday, July 12 at 4 p.m.
Registration is mandatory to receive meals. Parents or guardians may register for meals by completing this Google Form or calling 803-499-5950 or 803-494-7112.
Parents or guardians must complete one form for each child.
Meal packs will include five pre-packaged heat-and-eat lunch meals containing fruit, vegetables and milk. They will also include five pre-packaged convenience breakfast meals and milk. Meal packs are available for pick-up only.