Nutrition Meets Need: Dist. 300 Summer Breakfast, Lunch Program a Lifeline
Du Quoin Community Unit School District #300 began hosting its annual Summer Food Service Program beginning Monday, June 1. The summer foods program ends on Friday, July 29 2016 at two sites within the City of Du Quoin (Du Quoin Elementary School and A.M.E. Zion Church). The public is cordially invited to attend this free breakfast and lunch program for children ages 0-18. Adult meals are only $1.00 for breakfast and $2.00 for lunch.
The Summer Food Service Program is available to all children regardless of income, race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Food service hours for breakfast are from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., and lunch hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information you may call (618) 542-3856.
Du Quoin Community Unit District #300 is working to make sure that no children in Du Quoin go hungry when school is closed this summer. Over 750 children in District #300 receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but many of these children do not get enough to eat when school is out. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that both low-income as well as all other children continue to grow and learn during the summer.
The Summer Food Service Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is the largest federal resource available for local programs that combine meal time with recreational and educational activities.
District Business Manager Cory Robbins recognizes the success of the program in Du Quoin. "This has been a very successful program for the last 24 years, serving over 200 children a day breakfast and/or lunch. In my opinion, it's one of the most important things we do here in our District and it's been a personal honor for me to have been involved with the program for the last 16 years."
"Statewide, only a small percentage of the millions of children who qualify have access to local Summer Food Sites. Du Quoin has participated in the program for 24 years now, and last year alone served over 7,250 free lunches and over 3,000 free breakfasts."
"Our responsibility to kids doesn't end when school lets out. Children who get enough to eat and have safe activities to participate in during the summer are less likely to get into trouble. Our summer meals program is a building block in the community for healthy, happy kids who are ready to learn."
The Summer Food Service Program for Children is a federally funded program operated nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Illinois State Board of Education. Eligible sponsors such as non-profit organizations, schools and local governments serve nutritious meals and snacks free to low-income children during the summer months. Summer programs are located at approved sites that are either in low-income areas or serve a group of children, most of whom are low-income.
"In the first week of the program this year, in just 3 days last week we served over 1,274 free meals to children in Du Quoin."
"Last year over 10,000 free meals were served to children in Du Quoin."
District Business Manager Cory Robbins has served as the Summer Food Service Program Director and Monitor since 2001 and is entering his 16th year with the program.
District Food Services Supervisor Mr. Adam Fornear has served as the Summer Food Service Program Supervisor since 2008 and is entering his 9th year with the program. Mr. Fornear served District 300 as a high school teacher from 1969-73 before going to work for the Illinois State Board of Education as an Auditor from 1973 till his retirement in 2004. He then came back to work for District 300 as an Aide in 2008 before assuming the position of District Food Services Supervisor following the retirement of Mrs. Judy Payne.
Current District #300 Cooks Missy Higgins, Danielle Woll, Roberst Manser and Angie Scarber also serve as Cooks during the Summer Food Service Program this year.
The first four weeks of this year's Summer Food Service Program coincides with the District's Arrow Academy and Summer School programs offering both free breakfast and free lunch to all the students attending.
Many of the summer activities held on the District 300 campuses including athletic camps, team workouts, and other events are able to utilize the Summer Food Service Program to offer free meals to the students, athletes and other children who might attend.
This year, the School District is offering the program at two sites. The addresses and dates of operation are as follows:
To find out about the Summer Food Program in Du Quoin, contact Cory Robbins at (618) 542-3856.
 
Du Quoin Community Unit School District #300
SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM
2 SITES
Du Quoin Elementary School
845 East Jackson Street
Du Quoin, IL
AME Zion Church
101 North Maple Street
Du Quoin, IL
Beginning Date: June 1, 2016
Ending Date: July 29, 2016
Breakfast: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Meals are free for children age 0-18
Ages 19 and up: Breakfast - $1.00 Lunch - $2.00
The Summer Food Service Program is available to all eligible children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Any person who feels that he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should write immediately to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 202550-9410.