Summer Lunch Bunch is Back

The Salvation Army of Livingston County is once again organizing the 2011 Summer Lunch Bunch program. During the school year many children receive free and reduced-priced meals through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs. More than 24 percent of children in Livingston County are eligible to receive these meals.

When school is closed for the summer, Summer Lunch Bunch fills the missed meals gap. The program is offered by The Salvation Army, in coordination with the Livingston County Hunger Council, the Basic Needs Committee, and in partnership with Gleaners Community Food Bank, Senior Nutrition and many other area agencies and churches. The pilot year for this program was 2010, and this collaborative group saw almost 5,000 meals given to hungry people in our community.  

Summer Lunch Bunch provides a free meal, served once a week, and a box of food with lunch items for the rest of the week, to pre-registered families with school age children who might not have any other way of getting lunch when school is out for the summer. On the day lunch is served, there are activities, crafts, games and more for the children.

The program will take place from June 21-Aug. 12 beginning at 11:30 a.m. Families must pre-register to participate. The following is a listing of days and locations for the Summer Lunch Bunch program:

•  Tuesdays: Pinckney Elementary
•  Wednesdays: Howell Nazarene Church
•  Thursdays: Munn Middle School (Fowlerville)

For an application, click To enhance this program, transportation is available to each lunch site for those who live in Pinckney, Howell or Fowlerville.

Wish list items sought

Community residents and businesses are encouraged to help fill the Summer Lunch Bunch’s wish list. Donations may be brought to the office of the Salvation Army of Livingston County, or if there is a large amount being donated, individuals may arrange for a pick-up by calling the office.

The following items are being requested from the general public: paper lunch bags, plastic utensils (forks, knives and spoons in one package), napkins, wrapped straws, strong paper/foam plates, snack foods (fruit snacks, cracker packs, pudding or fruit cups, Jello, trail mix cereal, granola bars), pantry pack items (bottled or powdered drinks, canned pasta and other meals, macaroni and cheese, canned soup, juice, peanut butter and jelly), jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, playground balls, Kraft Lace or nylon loops, plastic pony beads and other craft items.

Volunteers needed

Volunteers, aged 18 or older, are needed to work at the Summer Lunch Bunch program this summer. Children may accompany adult volunteers as participants in the lunch program. Older teens (16 and over) may be considered as participant volunteers.

These individuals will spend time with and invest in children who need positive adult role models. They will also serve lunch, pass out pantry boxes that have food for lunches during the rest of the week, play on the playground, do a craft, jump rope and have fun with children who may otherwise be bored during the summer. Volunteers are needed from 11–1:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday for eight weeks. Individuals are requested to commit to the entire summer or participate as often as possible.

There will be an orientation for interested volunteers on June 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army of Livingston County offices.

The Salvation Army of Livingston County offices are located at 503 Lake St. in Howell. Call 517-546-4750. This press release was submitted by the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce.