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La Crosse organizations pull together to provide summer meals for thousands of children
May 25, 2021 7:50 PM Site staff
Updated:
(Getty Images)
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) Several local organizations are banding together to provide free meals and snacks this summer for thousands of children who rely on free and reduced-cost breakfasts and lunches during the school year.
The organizations, which will provide the meals for youths younger than 18 at more than 25 sites, understand the importance of nutritious meals during the summer, said Marilyn Volden, nutrition director for the La Crosse School District.
“We’ll always support the needs of our students and families, but especially now during these times of unprecedented circumstances, we want those in our community to know we continue to have their backs,” Volden said.
School district leaders in Holmen and La Crosse know families who are trying to get by.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty out there,” said Mike Gasper, nutrition director for the Holmen School District.
The USDA helped all children eat free in 2020. The same program will exist again next year.
“They extended all the waivers that they had in place for this school year through the end of next school year,” Gasper said.
Gasper said school lunch changed a lot over the years.
“School lunch isn’t what it used to be when we were there,” he said.
The district’s Farm 2 School program teaches children how to raise animals along with fruits and vegetables.