program starts 

June 19

PUTNAM — As the school year draws to a close and local youth look forward to summer vacation, many parents wonder how they will provide a nutritious breakfast and lunch to children often served healthy meals at school.

Once again, as a result of the public’s generous donations to Interfaith Human Services of Putnam, along with funding from End Hunger Connecticut and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, healthy meals will be offered, free of charge, to local children and their parents/guardians - who are encouraged to join them at the family table. 

The summer meal program begins on June 19 and runs through Aug. 15. Breakfast and lunch will be served every week day, with the exception of July 4, at: the Putnam Elementary School, Putnam High School, the Putnam Public Library, and the Putnam Housing Authority on Laconia Avenue.

Participation in the summer meal program has increased significantly over the past few years.

Recently Barry Sbordy, Department of Food Services director for the Putnam school system, said 9,207 breakfasts were served during the entirety of last year’s program, along with 14,758 lunches. 1,485 adult meals were served. “We have seen strong child participation numbers every year as a direct result of both free adult meals for parents who bring their children to one of our four sites for breakfast or lunch as well as additional summer meal days. In fact, this summer will be the longest run to date with the program open for 41 days during June, July, and August. We anticipate child meal participation to increase another 20 percent this year.”

Ann Kathi Peterson, secretary and Community Resource/Volunteer coordinator of Interfaith Human Services of Putnam - Daily Bread, said, “We are extremely fortunate to be able to offer multiple opportunities to feed families with children during the summertime,” she said.

In addition to the Summer Feeding Program, Daily Bread clients will be able to pick up food twice a month from the food pantry during the summer months. During this time children will also receive “Snak Paks.” Summer “Snak Paks” contain fresh fruit and easy to prepare foods for families with working parents.

“Snak Paks” will also be provided to the Putnam Recreation Summer Camp Program.