Food Bank summer feeding program extends to five sites

Several Columbia children are returning home with full stomachs thanks to the Food Bank’s summer feeding program.

During the summer, the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri feeds hungry children from five feeding sites in Columbia each day.

That’s three more sites than last year.

Here’s a list of all of the locations:

Bear Creek Park • 1402 Elleta Blvd.
Oakland Park • 1900 Blue Ridge Rd.
Indian Hills Park • 5009 Aztec Rd.
Fire Station #1 • 5901 E. St. Charles Rd.
Again Street Park • 1200 Again St.

Lunches are made fresh daily and are free for local kids in need.

“We want to serve as many kids as we can so our biggest challenge is getting the word out so that families know about these locations. We want them to know they can bring their kids out Monday through Friday and get a free meal.”

Food Bank officials said this program is important because schools don’t offer free lunches in the summertime.

Lunch is served each day from noon to 1:00 p.m., and the program runs from now until mid-August.