By Makiya McNear, Summer Meals Youth Engagement Coordinator
We are officially past the halfway point of the 2024 Frankfort Independent Schools Summer Meal Distributions. Our third meal distribution of the summer was June 27 and we have two more left (July 11th and July 18th). Each week thus far, the number of participants has increased. We now have over 400 families participating!
We include many fresh produce items like avocado halfs, apples, pears, carrots, broccoli, and oranges in the meal bags.. To date, 6,150 servings of these fresh produce items were locally sourced. Vegetables that have come from local farmers include salad mix, pea shoots, cucumbers, zucchini, and summer squash.
Every Wednesday, I send an email to remind families about the meal distribution the following day. The emails ainclude activity ideas, book recommendations, and information about community events to help keep kids active and engaged during the summer. Another resource we send out weekly is a handout that includes what is included in the meal bag, a recipe that can be made with some of the food in the bag, and a spotlight on one of the local farms that helped to provide the fresh produce.
Every other Thursday, the South Frankfort Food Share takes place. I have had a part in the last two (6/11 and 6/25) helping run the kids activities. The two activities we have done so far are making floral collage bookmarks using magazine clippings and pipe cleaner bracelets. It is really cool to have a part in this event as it is a positive space and it feels very helpful. I am looking forward to the next two I will be a part of and the upcoming meal distributions as well!
