More than 21 million children receive free or reduced meals during the school year. When school lets out the opportunities for these students to find a nutritious food may not be available.

Brookhaven has joined the national fight to stop hunger in America by offering meals throughout the month of June to children under the age of 18.

The Summer Food Service program is offering free lunches and breakfasts to Brookhaven children from June 3 to June 28. The program is sponsored by the Brookhaven School District. Two free meals a day will be available to children 18 years and younger.

“It’s a great benefit for the community,” said Tonya McSweyn, child nutrition director. “It’s a great convenience, and it will certainly save parents money.

The program offers breakfast from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Lipsey School, 412 Drury Lane, and lunch from 11a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Lipsey School and Mamie Martin Elementary School, 420 Vivian Merritt St. (This is a change in location from last year.)

“Our participation has dropped in the last several years, that’s one reason we are really trying to encourage people to come out and support the program this year,” said McSweyn.

Last year, between the two sites in Lincoln County, they served approximately 3,500 lunches and 1,600 breakfasts. McSweyn is preparing for the same amount this year.

The Summer Food Service Program is a national effort to ensure that children in low-income areas are able to receive nutritious meals through out the year. It is federal program run through the Department of Agriculture and is administered by state education agencies.

More information about other feeding sites across the nation is available at 1-866-3-HUNGRY.