Free summer lunch program in full swing

WATSONVILLE – Children with smiling faces sat around white picnic tables and in groups on the manicured lawn of Marinovich Park on Second Street Monday, as they ate their lunch — a warm meal complete with chicken wings, mashed potatoes, salad, corn, apple and a carton of milk.

The well-appointed meal is part of the free lunch summer program now in full swing at 11 sites throughout Santa Cruz County – seven in Watsonville. The program at Marinovich Park is one of four sites that La Manzana Community Resources, a Community Bridges Program, partners with the city of Watsonville, along with Callahan Park, Ramsey Park and Neighborhood Services in Freedom.

Funded by the USDA, California Department of Education and County of Santa Cruz, the lunch program helps to ensure that children up to 18 eat a well-balanced, nutritious meal, according to Gabriela Lopez Chavez, assistant director for La Manzana Community Resources. The program also accepts individual and corporate support.



For the complete article see the 06-19-2012 issue.

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