Schools’ summer free meals program off to terrific start

Wayland Union Schools Finance Director Bill Melching told members of the Wayland Board of Education Monday night that the new summer free meals program served almost 240 youngsters on the first day.

The “Funtastic” summer program features free lunches, breakfasts or dinners for anyone in the district under age 18. The meals usually are served in conjunction with special programs offered during the summer. For example, today’s program, “Paleo Joe’s “presentation on dinosaurs at Steeby Elementary, attracted almost 300 children.

Paleo Joe is a paleontologist, author and storyteller.  The first 100 students received a free, autographed book from Paleo Joe’s Dinosaur Detective Series.

The “Summer Funtastic Series events are free and open to the public. Meals are being served at the fun events as well as at summer school and area churches. Local sponsors helped fund the events that also include giveaways for the first 100 kids.

For a complete list of events, locations, and meal times, go to the district website at www.wayland.k12.mi.us or download the poster at http://web2.wayland.k12.mi.us/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=4558&Itemid=176

For more information, contact Sarah Parr, Food Service Director with Wayland Union Schools at parrs@wayland.k12.mi.us or call the administration office at 269-792-2181.

Melching told the school board Monday night that he expected about 75 for the first day, but three sites combined had almost 240 children. The three sites were the City Park, Steeby Elementary and Saw Mill Estates, a new partner in the program.

The series is not costing the schools because of a grant tied to free and reduced meals at Steeby and Baker elementaries, contributions from local sponsors and local churches. There will be at least one free meal available every day this summer at either Steeby or the United Church of Wayland, which are adjacent facilities on East Superior Street.

PHOTO: Paleo Joe wowed almost 300 young people at Steeby Elementary Tuesday morning in the first week of the “Summer Funtastic” program. (Photo courtesy Laurie Zywiczynski)