When school lets out for the summer, many local children lose the daily routines that provide meals, friendship, and time with caring adults. A Youth Advisory Council Spring Grant helped Emanuel Lutheran Church fill part of that gap with food, supervised play, and friendly faces. 

Last summer, 20 to 30 children arrived each day at the church’s Summer Safe Zone for a hot lunch from MCC Food Service and time to play before and after the meal. 

After more than eight years of hosting the program, church treasurer Linda Rogers describes the program’s mission as “sharing with our community members for lunch, safe play and communication with caregivers and children.” 

Rogers noted that while Emanuel provides supervised play activities with a paid teen and adult supervisor in addition to adult volunteers from Emanuel, caregivers of young children are encouraged to remain on site and may purchase a meal at the MCC rate. On occasion, Emanuel donates meals to caregivers who are in need. 

After the government-funded summer meal program through MCC Food Service ended, Emanuel Lutheran Church partnered with Grace Episcopal Church to extend the lunch program for three additional weeks until school began. The churches also sent food home with participating children for the weekend.  

With support from a Youth Advisory Council grant, Emanuel Lutheran Church provided more than meals. It offered children a welcoming place to spend their summer days, surrounded by caring adults and reminders that their community cares about them. 

Photo credit: 9 & 10 News