School meals continue through the summer: WSESU looking for volunteers to help with the effort

The Vermont Summer Food Service Program kicked off on June 22. For school kitchens throughout the state, that means continuing serving thousands of meals a week to their communities’ children. In the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union (WSESU), they can’t do it alone. While school staff are the backbone of the operation, the program can’t operate without volunteers helping with food preparation and working at the distribution sites.

“I am grateful and in awe of all of our volunteers and can not thank them enough for ensuring our students get the nutrition they need to thrive,” said Ali West, Brattleboro Town Schools Food Service Director, Fresh Picks Cafe. “Many of our regular volunteers from the school year are taking a much-deserved break, meaning we have lots of volunteer slots to fill in the coming weeks.”

Shifts range from 30 minutes at distribution sites to 3-hour shifts helping with food prep. If you’d like to help—whether it be weekly or just a few times throughout the summer—you can sign up online at https://bit.ly/2Nu4RZB.    

For families looking to sign up their kids for meals, please complete this form: https://bit.ly/3dAGHqM. Meals are available to every child 18 years and younger for free. 

Kickoff for Summer Meal Programs

Students across Vermont rely on school meals throughout the school year for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks. But when school is out of session nearly 37,000 students lose access to these services. Luckily, programs and organizations throughout southern Vermont offer summer meals programs.

Brattleboro

Brattleboro will host a Summer Meals Kickoff event at Retreat Farm on Friday, June 28 from noon to 4 pm. Lunch will be served from noon to 12:45 pm and will be free for kids, and adults who come with a child that day! Attendees may enjoy the farm for free until 4 pm, including the calf barn, trails, and learning garden.

There are 9 Free Summer Meal sites this year, 5 of which are open to the public. You can find more details here.

Bellows Falls

Bellows Falls will host a Summer Meals Kickoff event at Bellows Falls Middle School on Monday, June 24 from 11 am to 1 pm. Kids and adults alike may eat for free that day—lunch will include homemade pizza, salad, and more! Garden Coordinator, Marylous Massucco, will be leading garden tours and giving away her boxes that day! Learn more about the event here.

Newfane

A new initiative that is underway and community lead is in the Windham Central Community. They will host summer meals at the UCC church in Newfane, Vermont throughout the summer.

These events are great opportunities to learn about programs available to students throughout the entire summer. Check out this list of more summer meal sites throughout Vermont.