A few years ago, residents in Sevier County set priorities that would help children in their community thrive. Strengthening resources for and improving access to healthy food became a priority as a result of a community-led research effort.
A grant from No Kid Hungry has increased the community’s capacity for purchasing, preparing, and serving nutritious meals to residents under age 18 during the summer. As part of “Seamless Summer,” Horatio School District and public libraries in Horatio, Gillham, Lockesburg, and Winthrop will serve as non-congregate sites for free summer meals for children and teens, regardless of the school district they attend.
Unlike congregate meal service, where meals must be consumed at the site location, non-congregate sites offer meals to-go. This makes it ideal for rural communities that don’t have access to a congregate meal site.
For young children, healthy food fuels kindergarten readiness, physical wellbeing, and academic success. Increased access to healthy food also strengthens the food system in a community.
“When we are able to serve meals throughout the summer, and not just the school year, the whole supply chain benefits – from the food growers and sellers to those who prepare and serve food to the families who gather around the table,” said Beth Tody, regional coordinator for Excel by Eight.
The free summer meals include a hot lunch along with a sack breakfast for the following morning. No registration or application is required, and children do not have to be enrolled in the Horatio School District to receive a free meal. The serving dates, pickup times, and locations are listed below.
Horatio Elementary School Cafeteria
205 Isbell
Horatio, AR 71842
Serving Dates:
Monday – Thursday
June 19-22 and June 26-29
Monday – Friday
July 17-21 and July 24-28
Pickup Time:
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
If picking up meals from a library location, site managers request that people call to place an order at least 24 hours in advance to ensure meal availability. The amount pre-ordered will be what is available at the library locations.
Phone numbers and serving dates and times for each library location are listed below.
Gillham Public Library
207 W. 2nd Street
Gillham, AR 71841
Serving Dates:
Tuesday (June 20, June 27, July 18, and July 25)
Pickup Time:
12-1 p.m.
Contact:
Rhonda Barringer
(870) 386-5665
Horatio Public Library
108 W. Main Street
Horatio, AR 71842
Serving Dates:
Tuesday (June 20, June 27, July 18, and July 25)
Thursday (June 22, June 29, July 20, and July 27)
Pickup Time:
12-2 p.m.
Contact:
Catherine Smith
(870) 832-6882
Lockesburg Public Library
112 E. Main
Lockesburg, AR 71846
Serving Dates:
Wednesday (June 21, June 28, July 19, and July 26)
Thursday (June 22, June 29, July 20, and July 27)
Pickup Time:
12-2 p.m.
Contact:
Wendy Clay
(870) 289-2233
Winthrop Public Library
720 High Street
Winthrop, AR 71866
Serving Dates:
Monday (June 19, June 26, July 17, and July 24)
Wednesday (June 21, June 28, July 19, and July 26)
Thursday (June 22, June 29, July 20, and July 27)
Pickup Time:
12-2 p.m.
Contact:
Susan Lansdell
(870) 381-7580
Learn more about No Kid Hungry’s free summer meals program.
To stay updated about our continued efforts to create a reliable resource grid – one in which all families and communities are plugged in to ensure that all children have what they need to thrive – sign up for our email list or follow our social media accounts at @Excelby8.