HOPE – District Nutrition Director Deanna Gilbert was excited Monday night as she addressed the Hope Public School District Board to announce a complete remodel of the district’s annual summer nutrition program.
Based upon the theme “Fuel Up: Feeding Bodies, Fueling Minds,” the program providing free meals to students 18 years old and under will be taken to the community this summer by means of its own bus, Gilbert said.
“We want this to be a student, parent, community involvement thing,” she said. “And, we invite everybody, if you want to be a part of this, come out and be a part.”
The program will operate Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until noon on a rotating schedule at Hope Fair Park, Hope Northside Park and Hope High School cafeteria.
“Lunch will be served at Hope High, Fair Park, and Northside Park; and, we will be having some fun, educational activities along with the lunch meal,” Gilbert said.
A modified school bus will serve as the base of operations for the community park visits, with attendant activities including a parent center, workshops by the Hempstead County Master Gardeners on healthy foods, Hope Fire Department safety conversations, public health screenings, and story time by community volunteer readers.
Health screenings will be arranged through the newly-developed school-based health clinic at Hope High School by director Gretchen Carlton, according to Gilbert. Books for the story time activity and distribution have been provided by local community service partners and individuals, she said.
July 4 will be the only weekday without any meal service, Gilbert said.