Because the Rhinelander School District has a high number of free and reduced school meals offered due to overall lower income in the district, students under age 18 can take part in a summer food service program offered by the district. But it's not just for summer school students.
Food Service Director Pat Karaba says the meal program runs at James Williams Middle School, Crescent Elementary and Pelican Elementary. She says a free breakfast and lunch is offered...
"....the way the district qualifies we are capable of offering a free breakfast and lunch that is funded through the U.S.D.A. program. They encourage school districts to offer when there is a need in the community. So the students can have a free breakfast and a lunch and then they leave after that. This is offered to anyone under the age of 18 to come into those sites and eat for free...."
She says the young people don't even have to be residents to get the free meals, they only have to be under age 18. Karaba says getting nutrition to young people during the summer months is key...
"....We still have to follow guidelines set by the U.S.D.A. so we're meeting all those criterias of the fats, calories, sugars and salts, those kinds of things. It's a nutritionally-based breakfast and lunch. We try to gear it to things that are kid friendly, that they enjoy to eat so we see them eat breakfast and lunch..."
Karaba says the schedule for the meals at the schools and more information is available at the School District of Rhinelander website. We have a link here.
