Free Summer Meals Available Starting Today For Lakewood Kids

St. Leo's Food Connection is working to ensure that no child goes hungry during summer break.

According to its website, fewer than 20 percent of all children who qualify for free and reduced lunches in Washington schools utilize summer-meal programs.

The nonprofit organization's weekday program runs today through Aug. 31, and provides free sack lunches and snacks for all children age 18 and younger. No meals will be served on July 4.

The Food Connection started its program in 2007 with about 25 kids, and has grown every year. This year, meals are being served in Lakewood, Tacoma and Burlington, Skagit County.

Here are the locations and times for the Lakewood sites:

American Lake Park, 9222 Veterans Drive S.W.
Lunch: 12:30-1 p.m.; snack: 2-2:15 p.m.

Arrowhead Apartments, 10724 109th Street S.W.)
Lunch: 12:30-1 p.m.; snack: 2-2:15 p.m.

Green Firs Apartments, 5628 Boston Ave. S.W.
Lunch: Noon-12:30 p.m.; snack: 2-2:15 p.m.

Healing Homes, 6821 150th Street S.W.
Lunch: Noon-12:30 p.m.; snack: 1-1:15 p.m.

Lakewood Clubhouse, 8800 121st Street S.W.
Lunch: 12:15-12:45 p.m.; snack: 2-2:15 p.m.(No meals on Fridays)

Sage Terrace Apartments, 3502 92nd Street S.W.
Lunch: Noon-12:30 p.m.; snack: 2-2:15 p.m.

Springbrook Park, 12501 Addison Street S.W.
Lunch: 12:15-12:45 p.m.; snack: 2-2:15 p.m.
(No snack on Fridays)

Tillicum Library, 14916 Washington Ave. S.W.
Lunch: 12:30-1 p.m.
(No snack scheduled)

Tyee Park Elementary School, 11920 Seminole Road S.W.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-noon; snack: 1:30-1:45 p.m.
(July 10-Aug. 17)

For more information, contact James Harper at 253-327-1710 or jv@foodconnection.org.