By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The final day of classes for USD 428 students is May 16. The district is turning its sights toward summer plans. During Monday's board of education meeting, Superintendent Khris Thexton said all five elementary schools in Great Bend will offer the Summer Food Service Program every weekday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., running from May 28 through June 28.
"That is a grab-and-go process where they will get a hot meal and also breakfast for the next day," he said. "They can eat it there on site and take their breakfast with them, or they can just walk in, grab their to-go, and they have their for meal for both that day and also for breakfast the next day."
The program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, which collaborates with local districts to provide the meals free of charge when school is not in session. USD 428 has participated in the program for nearly three decades.
"(Food Service Director Kristy Alvord) and her staff have done a great job of growing the summer meal program," Thexton said. "I appreciate her wanting to get this going and keep this going because there are a lot of students who take advantage of that."
Any child 18 years of age or younger is eligible for the program. From July 1-19, except on July 4-5, the program will be offered only at Eisenhower, Jefferson, and Riley Schools from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the same grab-and-go format.