Meal program begins summer phase

Starting Monday, Kalispell Public Schools will serve free breakfast and lunch to children over the summer.

The program is open to all children, including those who do not live in the district. No proof of income, registration or identification is required. Children 18 and under need only to show up at one of the three locations to receive a meal.

The program will run through Aug. 24. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations: Woodland Park, starting June 11; Elrod Elementary, starting June 18; and Russell Elementary, starting July 9.

With a high population of students from low-income households, the district qualified for the Federal Summer Food Service Program and will receive a percentage of reimbursement for serving meals.

 Meals will be served at sites near the schools with the largest number of students eligible for free and reduced lunches.

Currently Hedges, Russell and Elrod schools have between 60 to 70 percent of their student populations eligible, according to Kalispell Public Schools Food Service Director Jennifer Montague.

For some children, school lunch is important because it may be their only meal, or, their only nutritious meal, which is why Montague said the main purpose of the program is to offer healthy food such as fruits and vegetables.