The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is officially in full swing! Over 700 free lunches for children ages 18 and under were distributed last week in only four days at six different locations. New locations this year are Healthy Communities and Prairie Creek Park.
“We have had a big turnout of kids at Prairie Creek Park!” Bethany Sheets, Assistant Director of United Way for Clinton County and this year’s SFSP Monitor said about the new locations. “We expect that number to increase even more with the splash pad now open. And we hope to see more kids this week at the Healthy Communities location.”
Other locations serving food are the YMCA, Boys and Girls 
Club, El Camino Daycare, and Circle Park. All sites are open to the community.
This year’s meals are being served hot and plated, compared to the last couple of year’s grab and go meals. “We’ve had quite a few families come by and ask to take their meal home with them or for younger siblings. The state guidelines are very strict about meals staying on site this year to ensure that the food stays at a safe temperature. They will not reimburse meals that are taken off site.” Sheets explained.
Children who have allergies or require any special accommodations can contact United Way and provide documentation from their doctor, and United Way will do what they can to meet their needs.
“This is a brand-new program for United Way this year,” shared Anita Stewart. Executive Director of United Way for Clinton County, “and we are learning as we go. We’re excited to be a part of it and we appreciate all of our partners who are making this happen.”
Ruth Foust at Frankfort High School has been overseeing the operations side of the food program. She manages a staff of seven. “Ruth and her team are doing an excellent job!” Sheets proudly shared. “I love how they greet the kids showing up to sites, invite them to sit down and have a hot meal, and to enter our weekly giveaway. Everyone has a smile on their face and I appreciate that!”
United Way for Clinton County applied to be a sponsor of the SFSP with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Center Township of Clinton County, Healthy Communities of Clinton County Coalition, Clinton County Family YMCA, and the Community Schools of Frankfort joined forces to get the program up and running.
Stewart added, “I also appreciate the Parks Department getting us extra picnic tables that we needed quickly. I was so impressed with them and their turnaround.”
Frito Lay is also helping at one of the sites this summer. Frito is leading “Fun Frito Fridays” at Circle Park each week. Last week they brought tents for the kids to sit under, had music playing, and they interacted with kids while they ate their lunches on site – and of course had free chips for everyone! Frito Lay had seven of their summer interns last week. Between their interns and their management team a total of 26 volunteers from Frito will serve at Circle Park during the summer.
This coming week’s menu includes pizza sticks, chicken patty sandwich, ham and cheese sandwich, chicken nuggets and soft tacos. Check United Way for Clinton County’s Facebook page for site specific times and daily menu listings.