Ohio County Summer Meal Program Is Returning, But Without Home Delivery | News, Sports,

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Ohio County Schools Child Nutrition Director Renee Griffin is shown reviewing the school system’s free summer meals schedule.

WHEELING – Ohio County Schools will be feeding local youths during the months of June and July because “hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation.”

What is different this year from 2021 is that all meals will be served on site, and none will be delivered to homes, explained Renee Griffin, nutrition director for Ohio County Schools.

Last year, because of COVID, the school district received federal funding to ship meals to students at home.

“A lot of the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) waivers are ending in June,” she said. “There can be no parent pick up of meals, and no take home meals. Everything must be eaten on site.”

Free meals for all children ages 2-18 will be available in the community at the following hours and locations on weekdays during the summer :

– Wheeling Park High School: June 7-July 29. Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and lunch from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

– Chambers YMCA: June 7-July 29. Breakfast will be available from 7:45 a.m. until 8:45 a.m., with lunch being served from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m

– Hil Dar-Exley Center: June 7-July 29. Lunch is provided from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m., and there will be snacks from 3:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.

– Salvation Army, 33rd Street, South Wheeling: June 7-July 29. Breakfast is from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

– Bridge Park Pool, Garden Park Pool and Grandview Pool: June 7-July 29. Lunch only will be served from 12:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all three locations.

– West Virginia University Extension at Island Marina Shelter (STEM Camp): June 13 through June 16. Breakfast takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

– Oglebay Wagon Shed Shelter: June 13-July 29. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

– Bridge Street Middle School: June 21-July 15. Breakfast will be served there from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., and lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

– Ritchie Elementary School: June 21-July 15. Breakfast will be served there from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., and lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

– House of the Carpenter: June 21-July 29. Breakfast is available from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and lunch is from noon to 12:30 p.m.

The Ohio Valley Child Learning Center also will be serving meals, but only to children who are enrolled there. Those with questions should call the Ohio County Schools Child Nutrition Office at 304-243-0486.

When all sites are operating, as many as 1,000 meals are served in one day, according to Griffin.

“Some days are heavier than others,” she said. “Weather is a factor at some sites. And when summer school is in session, we have more students.”

Most of the sites have events and speakers planned to attract youths, Griffin added.

Typical meals resemble those the youths might see in their school cafeteria during the school year – hamburger, hot dogs, chicken tenders and pizza.

Not all sites, however, are equipped to heat up and serve hot food. Those outdoor sites get shelf stable meals – such as sandwiches or hummus and crackers – that meat USDA regulations, according to Griffin.

“Many children experience food insecurity during summer,” she said. “We want to be able to bridge that gap when school isn’t in session.”.