Food that’s in when school is out

WASILLA — Kid’s Kupboard, a Wasilla-based non-profit entity with a sole mission of nurturing awareness of the importance of child nutrition programs, has announced its summer food service program at nearly a dozen sites throughout the Mat-Su.

According to Kid’s Kupboard program director Lynnette Ortolano, starting Monday, lunches will be served free of charge to youth ages 18 and under. A majority of the 11 sites from Willow to Sutton, and points in-between. Most sites in the heart of the Valley serve weekday lunches. There are exceptions in the rural fringe areas. Additionally, the Boys and Girls Club-Alaska will offer breakfast.

Ortolano said her organization is committed to feeding hungry children in safe community environments. It works with local regional organizations including local youth clubs, Denali Family Services, libraries, city governments, and churches. Ortolano said the summer program is in addition to the tens of thousands of meals served to youth throughout the school year.

Each summer site is manned by a pool of community volunteers.

“Our program is designed to serve kids in neighborhoods where lunches are not available,” Ortolano said. “We will also be providing meals this year on Saturdays at the new Wasilla Library.”

Ortolano said no documentation or registration is required.

“Kids can come to a designated site to get a sack lunch,” she said. “The only restrictions are one lunch per child, per day, and children must eat the majority of their meal onsite with our amazing volunteers.”

Ortolano said meals consist of fresh, healthy sandwiches, salads, or wraps; vegetables, fruit, and milk.

Summer sites include—Boys and Girls Club-Alaska in Wasilla, serving breakfast at 10:30 a.m. and lunch at 2:30 p.m.; Goose Bay Elementary, serving lunch at noon; Sutton Library, serving noon lunches Monday-Thursday; Boys and Girls Club-Alaska in Eagle River, serving noon lunches; Big Lake Library, noon lunches; Willow Food Pantry, serving 11 a.m. lunches Monday-Thursday; Willow Community Center, serving 12:30 p.m. lunches Tuesday and Thursday; North Terrace Apartments in Palmer, servinv 1:10 p.m. lunches Monday-Friday; John Biggee Park in Palmer, serving Monday-Friday lunches at 1:45 p.m., Wasilla Library, serving Monday-Friday lunches at noon’ Blood and Fire Pantry in Meadow Lakes, serving lunch Monday-Wednesday-Friday at 11 a.m.

Ortolano said Kids Kupboard leadership and staff have been operating as a state approved sponsor of child feeding programs for a combined 10 years.

“Our steady growth, amazing community partnerships resulting in more than 20,000 volunteer hours and more than 68,000 meals provided to more than 700 children in 2016 are testament that the community wants this program to continue its important work,” she said. “We are committed to working towards a day when no child is hungry! When school is out and parents are still at work, children need a safe place to be with their friends, with structured activities, supportive adults, and good nutrition.”

Ortolano noted that participating in state and federal programs allows Kids Kupboard to receive reimbursement for a portion of operating costs.

“However, not all of our costs are reimbursed. Kids Kupboard relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses and funders to help us continue to reach so many of our communities most vulnerable children,” said Ortolano.

For more information on the summer and other Kids Kupboard programs, to volunteer or donate, visit kidskupboard.org, or call 907-360-9476.