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There really is a free lunch

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: June 10, 2009

TAMPA - In these tough economic times, Hillsborough County is hoping more families will take advantage of a free lunch program available throughout the community this summer.

As the economy spiraled downward last summer, thousands more students turned up at county recreation areas to participate in free meals, provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Education.

Hillsborough County added five more lunch sites last year to provide about 5,000 additional meals. The county plans to add 5 percent to 10 percent more this year, said Anika A. Coney, a community service program coordinator.

"Parents definitely need to take advantage of the program this year. It fills the gaps for a lot of families, when it comes to their grocery budget," she said.

Most meal sites are at county schools and parks.

The program targets children 18 and younger who qualify during the school year for free and reduced lunches. But there are no qualification requirements for the program. Any child can walk into a participating center and get a free lunch.

"They don't have to fill out anything," Coney said. "They just have to show up at one of our sites."

The Summer Food Service Program is the largest federal initiative available to local sponsors who want to combine food programs with summer activities for children, according to the USDA Web site. But only a fraction of the children who take advantage of free and reduced lunches during the school year participate in the summer program.

"Too often, many children are left searching for unhealthy foods to eat when their parents are working or not in the home," according to a USDA press release. "When there is not enough food to go around, their nutritional needs are not met and their choices are not always the best."

It's all about the nutrition, Coney said. "They need that to play, grow and learn."

This is the 32nd year the program will be available in Hillsborough County. And despite losing its director in 2008 to budget-cutting layoffs, the program continues.

Groups and organizations interested in serving as a host site next year and people looking for a site closest to their home can call (813) 272-5220, ext. 362.

"We're really interested in filling in gaps in communities that are underserved now," Coney said.

LUNCH SITES IN NORTHEAST

Bible Based Fellowship Church

8718 N. 46th Ave.

Tampa FL 33617

SERVING TIME: 12-2 p.m.; snack, 3-4 p.m.

Copeland Park

11001 N. 15th St.

Tampa FL 33612

SERVING TIME: 12-2 p.m.; snack, 3-4 p.m.

Forest Hills Community Center

724 W. 109th Ave.

Tampa FL 33612

SERVING TIME: 12-2 p.m.; snack, 3-4 p.m.

Temple Park

7701 Temple Terrace Highway

Tampa FL 33637

SERVING TIME: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; snack, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

University Area Community Center

14013 N. 22nd St.

Tampa FL 33613

SERVING TIME: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; snack, 3-4 p.m.

Youth Empowered to Achieve

2225 E. 109th Ave.

Tampa FL 33612

SERVING TIME: 12:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m.; snack, 4-5 p.m.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 627-4763.

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