Feed the children: organizations unite for summer lunch programs

With summer in full swing, it gets harder to ensure children have access to a healthy lunch. That's why several community organizations are working to provide a lunch program during summer months.

The summer lunch and snack programs are a partnership between REACH, PotashCorp, Heritage Community Association,The Salvation Army, The City of Regina and Chili for Children.

The program is supported and funded by PotashCorp. Since 2012, PotashCorp has provided $530,000 for food initiatives that support vulnerable children in the city.

Working together

"It takes a community to raise a child, and in the case of vulnerable children it takes a community to feed a child," said Dana Folkersen, executive director of REACH.

These organizations all work to co-ordinate drop-off and pick-up sites across the city for free lunches and snacks for children during the summer months.

"By all of us co-operating and working together, we're able to sort of cover the city, and we're able to get to more children that need it," said Folkersen.

The lunch and snack drop-offs are also co-ordinated with the City of Regina's PlayEscapes summer camps and outdoor pools.

Healthy meals

Folkersen saidthey have also "upped the ante" when it comes to the meals they are providing now.

"We want to walk the walk," said Folkersen.

"We have a number of programs and organizations where we teach children about healthy snacks and healthy lunches, so we've worked really hard to provide as healthy of a lunch as we can."

Folkersen said they provide nearly 700 lunches a day, and 25,000-30,000 snacks and lunches over the summer.

The lunch and snack programs also accommodate dietary and allergy restrictions. This includes vegetarian and gluten-free meals.

The lunches include a sandwich, cheese, a fruit or vegetable and a drink such as milk or juice.