District will provide free meals
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

All children in Cherokee County will have a place to get a hot meal while school is out this summer.

The school district is piloting a free breakfast and lunch program from June 9 until Aug. 8 at the Cherokee County Boys and Girls Club on Pecan Street.

Breakfast will be served from 8-9 a.m. weekdays while lunch will be available from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

The meals will be prepared by school food service employees at Mary Bramlett Elementary, said Roland Cabading, director of the district's food service program. The federal government allows school districts to receive reimbursement for the meals just like regular free and reduced meals served during the school year.

"The majority of the meals will be hot meals instead of sandwiches. It will be very similar to the food served in school cafeterias," Cabading said. "This will give children an opportunity to get a nutritious meal this summer. We wanted to pilot this program in areas of the community where there is a need."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture continues to be concerned about providing access to nutritious meals for children who receive free and reduced meals during the school year. Statistics show less than 15 percent of students nationally have access to meals when schools are not in session.

Cabading filed a waiver with the USDA so the school district could continue its regular food service program during the summer months.

"We offered a similar summer meal program at the district where I worked in Charleston before coming to Cherokee County," Cabading said. "If this works out, we will look at expanding the program to other sites next summer."

The school district's meals will be served to children attending the summer camp programs at the Boys and Girls Club. All children attending county schools are also invited to eat at the club this summer.

The only times meals won't be served is the Fourth of July week when schools are closed.

Boys and Girls Club director Vance Hammond said he hopes many children will pay the $30-per-week fee to attend his club's summer camp programs. He is just as excited that his club will serve as the host site for children interested in enjoying the district's summer meals.