There is such a thing as a free lunch in Wayland this summer

The “Funtastic” summer series in the Wayland school district will get under way next week, starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 8, at the Wayland City Park, with the Great Start Playgroup.

The program, for children up to age 5, will include a free book for each family, but older siblings are welcome to join A free breakfast will be offered before the presentation, at 8:30 a.m., at Steeby Elementary and lunch at the school will be served from 11:15 to 11:45 will be served free to all students under 18 years old.

A snack will be offered before the visit from “Paleo Joe” at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June, at Steeby Elementary. Paleo Joe, an author, paleontologist and speaker, will present a program on the world of dinosaurs. First 100 kids get a free, autographed book. Free lunch at Steeby will be from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

The following day will feature a snack from 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. at Steeby during a special visit by “Paleo Joe,” award-winning paleontologist, storyteller and author. Lunch will follow from 11:30 to noon.

Steeby also will have breakfast from 8:30 to 9 and lunch from 11:30 to noon on Wednesday, June 10.

Lunch on Thursday, June 11, will be served from 11:30 to noon at the United Church of Wayland and there will be dinner from 6 to 7 p.m. that evening at Gun Lake Community Church.

The first week will conclude with lunch from 11:30 to noon Friday, June 12, at United Church of Wayland.

“The “Summer Fanatastic Series” is sponsored by Wayland Union Schools, Chartwells, Clark Hill, GRBS, Northern Physical Therapy, Reno Agency, Triangle Construction and United Bank and partner locations Dorr Township Library, Henika Library, New Life Church, Voice of Hope Church, Gun Lake Community Church, Wayland United Methodist Church and United Church of Wayland as a way to provide nutrition to young people in the community while schools are not in session.

Wayland Schools Finance Director Bill Melching and Food Service Director Sarah Parr came up with a program that is open to all children, but targets Steeby and Baker elementaries, which the state has indicated have more than half their children receiving free or reduced price lunches.

Adults may purchase lunch for $4.