Summer program provides breakfast, lunch for kids

School was out but the cafeteria at Lincoln-McKinley Primary School was full Monday with the excitement of young people eating their lunch.

Laughter and chatter abounded as food disappeared from plates into the mouths of the youngsters.

The Havre school district is sponsoring a federally funded summer breakfast and lunch program, and Monday was the first day of the program for the year.

Kids can eat a wholesome meal for free. In fact, parents are invited to join in for a small fee and are encouraged to come, said Carol Wolf, the head cook for the program.

A similar program is being held at Highland Park Early Primary School.

"Look, I had a pickle and a tomato," 3-year-old Piper Frazier said, ignoring the cheeseburger and french fries that were also on her plate. "They are good."

Her mother, Amber Frazier, is fond of the program and says she will take the kids to the program often.

Amber Frazier works at Quality Life Concepts. The agency provides services to developmentally challenged young people and takes them to the free lunch program.

The program is ideal for them, she said.

It helps them develop skills needed in daily life, she said.

"It's a nutritious meal," she said. "And they love it."

Quality Life Concepts will be sending the children to the program in the coming weeks, she said.

Wolf, who has been with the program since it started four years ago, said it has proved to be popular in the neighborhood.

"There are no qualifications, no paperwork," she said. "Just show up."

Breakfast is served 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily, and lunch is served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wolf said the program is a "win-win" in that it provides quality food for the children and saves some money for the family.

She said it's always great to see adults come with the children.

"We get mothers, fathers, grandparents, whatever," she said.

Adults are charged $4 for lunch and $2.25 for breakfast.