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Power Up Summer Food Program for Kids 2007

The Power Up Summer Food Program for Kids started June 4 and served over 6,000 meals during the first month! Meals continue through July 20. This is the second year for the community program that began with Peace Connections' question, “How do families receiving free/reduced lunches during the school year feed their children when it is summertime?” The Power Up program makes free breakfasts and lunches available to all Newton children ages 2-18 during June and July.

The sites for the meals this summer are Sunset and Slate Creek Elementary schools. New this year is busing to Slate Creek for students who live too far to walk, as well as, the addition of a learning-based activity program on 3 mornings of the week. The activities, which include reading, crafts, games and special programs from area groups, are being held at Shalom Mennonite Church, which is just south of Slate Creek.

The Summer Food Task Force, made up of representatives from Mid-Cap, USD 373, Harvey County Health Dept., SRS, and Peace Connections worked hard to make the program happen again. Peace Connections gave energy and attention to fundraising to cover over $5,000 in program expenses, as well as, coordination of the above task force.

We were very pleased to have Sherry Duell overseeing the volunteers and activity program, a paid position that was added this year. And we have been grateful for the individuals and various groups, including Hutch Credit Union employees and a group of students and campus pastor from Youthville, who helped with staffing needs.

It has been exciting to see the additions of busing and activities to the food program and the increase in the number of children we are reaching. Amazingly, twice the amount of last year's meals will likely be served this summer! During June at Sunset we served 1,303 for breakfast and 3,149 for lunch and at Slate Creek we served 692 for breakfast and 1,129 for lunch – a total of 6,273 meals in June alone! July meals are following the same pattern. Our one disappointment is that our volunteer numbers have slipped since 2006 - meals have been served with only approximately half of the volunteers we had to work with last summer. We truly hope that this program can continue to function well, draw more new volunteer help next summer, and be an ongoing resource for our community. The needs of families are great, and it is wonderful to be part of helping our children.

We are grateful to these community groups for their support of the Power Up Summer Food Program:

American Association of University Women

Bethel College Mennonite Church

Bethel College K-2 Sunday School

First Bank

First United Presbyterian Church

Gary Franz Team – Remax

Greater Newton Community Foundation

Harvey County United Way

Hutchinson Credit Union

Koerner Heights Church

Midland State Bank

Newton Medical Center

Shalom Mennonite Church

Walter & Edna Gaede Memorial Fund

Women's Mission Society of First Mennonite Church, Halstead

USD 373

USDA

We are also grateful to the individuals who contributed to this program as well.

In box near summer food article: