Children offered free meals as part of school's summer strategy

Friday, May 27, 2016
Greencastle Director of Food Services Debbie Carrico (left) stands proud with her assistant Shelley Gardner while holding up a sign in front of the newly-christened "mobile food cart."

As part of the USDA Summer Feeding Program, one Greencastle employee will yet again be spearheading a summer-long campaign to help feed the children of Putnam County.

Debbie Carrico, who serves throughout the year as director of food services for Greencastle schools, will be traveling around the city this summer in an activity-bus designated to hand out free meals to children aged 18 and younger.

"We used do it only at the schools in town," Carrico said. "Now, with the cooperation of the state and other schools in the county, we've gone mobile.

"In fact, we'll be at Robe-Ann Park (from May 31-July 29) to catch the kids who will be just getting done with the S.P.A.R.K. program early in the day," Carrico continued. "I've also worked it out with the Putnam County Library so we can set up a mobile location at that site as well."

S.P.A.R.K., or Summer Program of Awareness and Recreation for Kids, traditionally runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and has been serving Greencastle children for several years.

Together with S.P.A.R.K., the combination promises to be of great benefit to the community again in 2016.

Due to the "free" nature of this program, rules and regulations will apply:

* Only children aged 18 and younger are served free meals.

* All adults aged 19 and older must pay $2 per meal.

* Individuals aged 19 and older may not consume or share any part of a child's meal.

* No meals will be served on the Fourth of July.

* Meals are only served during published serving times.

* Food left on a sharing table (where available) may only be eaten on site and only by children aged 18 and younger.

* All meals must be consumed at the site unless the sponsor has authorized participants to leave a site with only one of the following meal components: fruit, vegetable or grain.

* Meal substitutions due to a life-threatening allergy or disability must be supported by a statement from a recognized medical authority that includes the required alternate foods.

* Dispose of all trash before leaving the site.

Sites, dates and times with which citizens may plan ahead are as follows:

* Ridpath Primary School -- 711 S. Central St. -- May 31-July 29 (Monday through Friday); Breakfast 8-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

* Dear Meadow Primary School -- 1000 Dear Meadow Ln. -- May 31-July 29 (Monday through Friday); Breakfast 8-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

* Greencastle High School -- 910 E. Washington St. -- June 1-June 26 (Monday through Friday); Breakfast: 8-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-12:30p.m.

* Mobile Unit Robe-Ann Park -- 405 Bloomington St. -- May 31-July 29 (Monday through Friday); Lunch 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

For more information about the summer feeding program, contact Carrico at 653-3725.

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  • I am thrilled that Mrs. Carrico is not only continuing with the Summer Feeding Program but extending it also. It is a wonderful program and, yes, kids are just as hungry in the summer as they are when school is in session. Most Greencastls residents would probably be shocked to know the percentage of proverty in Greencastle. Thank you Mrs. Carrico and Mrs. Gardner and keep up the good work!

    -- Posted by interested party on Sat, May 28, 2016, at 3:08 PM
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