Leisure Services Offers Free Healthy Lunches for Children

With school out for the summer, some children might try to substitute ice cream and a Hot Pocket in place of a healthy lunch. Much to the dismay of many, neither of the aforementioned items will provide proper nourishment.

Enter ’ “Let’s Do Lunch!” free summer lunch program.

“There are a lot of kids that rely on school to provide free lunch for them,” said Corina Hahn, senior recreation supervisor for UCLS. “When school’s out of session, they may not have an opportunity to eat a healthy lunch.”

From now through Aug. 12, UCLS is offering free lunches five days a week at various youth program locations throughout the city. The meals include a sandwich, fruit, carrots, a cookie and milk.

The program is open to any children 18 and under, not just those registered in UCLS summer programs, Hahn said. Children can drop in between noon and 1 p.m. at any of the following locations:

• William May Teen Center, 1200 J St. (in Kennedy Park, behind Logan High)
• Alvarado Resource Center, 4361 Agena Circle (next to Contempo Park)
• , 33948 10th St.

The program is held courtesy of the Hayward Unified School District and . HUSD received a grant to host a free lunch program and opened it up to neighboring communities, Hahn said. The Lions Club donated funds to help pay for staff to distribute the lunches, Hahn said.

UCLS will provide up to 800 lunches a day.

On Monday, the day of the program’s launch, UCLS staff distributed about 400 lunches, with approximately 150 meals served to children who dropped in specifically for lunch, Hahn said.

Word is spreading fast about the program, which is being promoted at summer camps, Hahn said. However, all children are encouraged to come.

For more information, call UCLS at 510-675-5808.

There are also open seats in some summer activities, Hanh said. Parents wishing to enroll their child may sign up at any of the Union City community centers.