Summer feeding program available in Aiken County

Stephanie Hill, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Jun. 17—The Aiken County Public School District is serving free breakfast and lunch at six different schools throughout the county this summer. The meals are provided by the USDA Seamless Summer Program, which allows for children under 18 to receive meals.

The program is open Monday through Thursday until Aug. 4, but there will be no meals provided the week of July 4.

Food may be picked up at Midland Valley High School, North Augusta High School, Ridge Spring-Monetta middle and high schools, Silver Bluff High School and A.L. Corbett Middle School. Meals from Aiken High School will only be served on site and are not packaged for carryout.

Breakfast is served from 8-8:30 a.m. and lunch is served from noon to 1 p.m. at each campus. Breakfast and lunch can be purchased for adults as well for a cost of $2.60 for breakfast and $4.10 for lunch.

"We are proud to continue offering healthy food options over the summer months," said Karen Johnson, director of child nutrition for ACPSD. "It's so important for students to maintain a healthy diet as their bodies develop, and we hope local families take advantage of this program to provide adequate nutrition."

For more information about the summer feeding program please call Johnson at 803-641-2428 ext. 12730.

Another program, the Summer Break Cafe, is also offering meals to children this summer.

The South Carolina Department of Education summer food service program, also called the Summer Break Café, began on Thursday. The program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides free meals to children 18 and under.

"We are excited to partner with organizations across South Carolina to offer Summer Break Cafés this summer," said State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. "Hunger and malnutrition not only make students more prone to illness and health issues, but can also negatively impact school performance once the semester begins. Summer Break Cafés can help fill the nutritional gap and give students the meals to be happy and healthy."

Meals in Aiken County are available at multiple sites, including Helping Hands, Smith Hazel, Hahn Village, Salvation Army, Aiken High School, Odell Weeks, Aiken Family Y Camp, Silver Bluff High School, Amelia's, Hope Center, Harrison Caver Park, Team Punishers Boxing Club, North Augusta Gardens Apartment, North Augusta High School, A.L. Corbett Middle School, Wagener, Salley and Ridge Spring-Monetta middle/high school.

The SCDE and sponsors have served over 25 million meals to children since 2019.

"During the summer months, it is vital that students have access to nutritious meals," said Melanie Huggins, executive director, Richland Library. "Providing Summer Break Cafés at three of our Richland Library locations allows us the opportunity to connect children and their families to good food and high-quality, free educational resources."

To find a location, visit https://ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/health-and-nutrition/special-programs/usda-summer-meal-programs/map/.