SUN Meals answer summer hunger pangs
The kids sat at picnic tables at New Chicago's Twin Oaks Park Thursday munching on ham and cheddar submarine sandwiches provided by the food service department at the River Forest Community School Corp.
'They love it,' Britney Bansley said of her three children, Joshua Smith, 8, Cephas Smith, 6, and Evalynn Smith, 4. 'This my first time here because I have a random day off. My babysitter has been bringing them.'
Bansley said she likes the program also because if the kids don't finish their meals, they're able to bring them home to eat later.
River Forest is one of dozens of Northwest Indiana school districts and charter schools taking part in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's SUN Meals, a free summer nutrition program for children 18-and-under.
'Our kids really need it,' said River Forest food service director Nick Alessandri. 'Thirty-five is a pretty good turnout,' he said of Thursday's attendance at Twin Oaks. 'I definitely think the program is necessary.'
Throughout the U.S., various sites, including schools, parks, libraries, and others offer free lunches while school is out to make sure children receive nutritious options.
Formerly known as the Summer Food Service Program, it's been around for decades and received a menu update last year by the Biden administration with SUN Meals, SUN Meals To-GO and the new SUN Bucks program.
This year, Indiana opted out of the second-year SUN Bucks program, which provides needy families in the Electronic Benefits Transfer program (EBT) with a grocery benefit of $120 per eligible school child.
Indiana joined the program last year under former Gov. Eric Holcomb, but officials in the Braun administration blamed Holcomb's administration for insufficient planning and funding preparations leaving it unable to fulfill the program's requirements.
The SUN Meals program, however, remains unaffected throughout the state.
The Twin Oaks Park site is one five sites served by River Forest schools, said Superintendent Kevin Trezak.
Twin Oaks is the lone one with a learning component, said New Chicago Park Board vice president Morgan McCabe.
On Thursday, the children watched Patricia Riley-Churilla teach common American Sign Language phrases such as family and mother.
They also have speakers from the New Chicago-Lake Station Public Library and the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. The kids craft art projects on Mondays and last year, they painted park benches, McCabe said.
Trezak said the three offsites together are averaging about 85 kids a day. 'These are great numbers for us since the offsite spots are aimed to serve those with transportation needs,' he said.
Northwest Indiana is home to multiple free school lunch sites from East Chicago to LaPorte. To find a site, see: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
4 days ago
- UPI
USDA seeks to combat spread of New World screwworms into U.S.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has temporarily suspended the transport of live cattle from Mexico to stop the spread of the New World screwworm. Pictured are cattle on a ranch in Tapachula on May 22. Photo by Juan Manuel Blanco/EPA-EFE June 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on Wednesday announced a plan to enhance the agency's ability to detect, control and eliminate the New World screwworm, including an $8.5 million fly dispersal facility in South Texas. The screwworm, which affects livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, humans, has been eradicated from the United States for decades. But it has been detected in Mexico as far north as Oaxaca and Veracruz, about 700 miles away from the U.S. border. This led to the immediate suspension of live cattle, horse and bison imports through U.S. ports of entry along the southern border on May 11. When NWS maggots burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious and often deadly damage to the animal, USDA said. Mature screwworm larvae can grow up to two-thirds of an inch. "The United States has defeated NWS before and we will do it again," Rollins said. "We do not take lightly the threat NWS poses to our livestock industry, our economy and our food supply chain. The United States government will use all resources at its disposal to push back NWS, and today's announcement of a domestic strategy to bolster our border defenses is just the beginning. "We have the proven tools, strong domestic and international partnerships, and the grit needed to win this battle." Rollins appeared at the dispersal facility groundbreaking at Moore Air Base in Metapa. The agency plans to have the building completed later this year. The facility will provide an additional 60 million to 100 million sterile flies a week to stop the spread, on top of more than 100 million already produced in Panama. She met with cattle fever tick riders along the Rio Grande River. If the NWS advances northward into the United States, these tick riders "will play a crucial role in spotting and combating this pest," an agency news release said. "Texas is on the front lines of the threat posed by the New World screwworm," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said. "Proactive measures like this dispersal facility are a critical step to ensure our state and nation are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to this challenge." The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association backs the USGA plan. "Today's announcement is pivotal in protecting the U.S. cattle industry," Stephen Diebel, executive vice president, said. "Sterile flies are the only known way to stop the reproduction and continued expansion of New World screwworm, and it's assuring to see Secretary Rollins follow through her early commitments to increasing production of sterile flies domestically." Ethan Lane, vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association told Brownfield Ag News: "We have some resources to slow that spread in Mexico. We need all of Mexico's cooperation in order to achieve that. That means not just allowing the planes to get down there and disperse the flies but the monitoring, the movement controls, the wildlife aspect of this." The USDA recently spent $21 million to help renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico. USDA will support Mexico's strategic trapping along the shared border. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service cattle fever tick riders will work with U.S. Customs & Border Protection and state partners to intercept and treat stray and illegally introduced livestock. USDA plans to remove any federal regulatory hurdles for sufficient treatments and work with state officials on emergency management plans in states including Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. Besides building the insect dispersal facility, the USDA is exploring other options to eradicate the insect. That includes using new technologies and also building another fly-production center at Moore Air Base. That facility could boost domestic sterile fly production by up to 300 million flies per week. The USGA also is studying the development of better traps and lures, as well as assessing strains or genetically modified versions of the pest that could help in eradication efforts.
Buzz Feed
6 days ago
- Buzz Feed
Don't Leave Home Without These 29 Summer Essentials
A mini portable fan that'll keep you cool as a cucumber while you're out and about doing all your fave warm weather shenanigans. You can use it handheld, wear it as a necklace, or sit it up right. A major plus? This little guy is also a portable charger, so it'll basically be your summer lifesaver. Or, a neck fan if you want to go hands-free and enjoy the nice breeze without even lifting a finger. This has three adjustable speeds to choose from, and the LED screen on the side lets you know how much charge you've got left. Plus, reviewers say it's super comfy and lightweight! A box of 125 Purell single-use hand sanitizers you can stick in your pocket, purse, beach bag, or wallet because they are super slim and come in super handy. Whether it's sticky hands from a melted ice pop or all those dirty surfaces you encounter outside, these have got you covered. A pack of unscented antiperspirant wipes since you're someone who tends to get a little sweaty, and the sweat stains on your shirt show it as clear as day. Whether you apply these on your armpits, chest, or hands, these will help you get through the day feeling dry and not sweating like a sinner in church. A trusty Tide To-Go stain-removing pen because no matter how hard you try, your white shirt always gets a food stain, dirt smear, or one of those "what is this even from" kind of marks. This handy pen tackles spots on light-colored clothes fast, so you can treat them before they hit the wash. A portable phone charger for when you don't have access to an outlet and are living off a measly 15%. This little guy gives you almost one full charge and is super lightweight so it's easy to throw into your bag for when you're on the go. Or, a credit card–size portable charger perfect for when you don't want half of your purse or pocket taken up by a clunky portable charger. This super sleek and slim gadget comes with built-in lightning, USB-C, and micro-USB cords so you don't have to deal with tangled wires or worrying about one more thing to forget! A 10-pack of DEET-free mosquito-repellent bracelets so you can enjoy the nice weather without getting eaten alive by all the bugs who also decided to be out and about this summer. These help keep them away using essential oils like lemongrass and citronella, and are way better than stinky-smelling sprays that also leave you feeling sticky. Or, a set of plant-based, unscented insect-repellent sprays to keep those buggers away for up to 14 hours. These are slim enough to slip into your pocket and are great for anyone traveling this summer. A folding mini hairbrush because the sunshine calls for an all windows down type of drive to the beach or the backyard barbecue with the fam. This won't take up a lot of space in your purse and is great for touching up any knots or tangles in your wind-blown hair. Some GoMacro bars so you can keep an emergency snack in your bag between all your summer shenanigans. No matter what tasty flavor you choose, you'll be fueled for the day with 12 grams of protein and a whole lotta YUM! A Sun Bum face sunscreen stick with SPF 30 and an easy roll-on application to keep your hands from getting smothered by the white globby mess that is your typical sunscreen lotion. This is super convenient and parents especially love it since it makes applying SPF on kiddos an absolute breeze! And speaking of sun protection, Cay Skin's SPF 30 Isle Lip Balm, because just like your skin, your lips need a proper shield against the sun. These balms give you a nice glossy finish and the infused sea moss, aloe, and shea oil ensure dry, cracked lips are a thing of the past! Aquaphor's Healing Balm Stick you can rub on your elbows, knees, and anywhere else that is lacking some hydration. Thanks to the avocado oil and shea butter formula, this will soothe your dry skin sorrows! The iconic Alleyoop Pen Pal, which is basically a cooler makeup version of the classic Bic 4 Color Pen. This has four retractable colors so you can touch up your brows, eyeliner, lips, and highlights. Plus, it's small enough to fit in your purse if you need to do some on-the-go touch-ups! A TSA-friendly "Wallet Ninja" that's basically like the Jack of All Trades since it can be used as a cell phone holder, a bottle and can opener, an eyeglass screwdriver, a ruler, an envelope opener, and.... well you get the point. It slides right into your wallet and will come in super duper handy for any situation. I Dew Care's dry shampoo powder perfect for when the summer heat, sweat, and humidity can make your hair greasy fast — especially between wash days. Tap this on to instantly give your hair a little refresh and live your best, beautiful life without oily roots! A UV-protective mini umbrella in case you're a little sensitive to the sun, but still want to enjoy the great outdoors without burning or overheating. It's super compact and will come in extra handy for those rare summer days when a little rainstorm does occur. The internet-famous Revlon oil-absorbing volcanic face roller made from actual volcanic stone to soak up the excess oil throughout the day. Unlike blotting papers, you can wash and reuse the roller, and it fits perfectly in your purse! A roll-on migraine stick if the heat tends to get you feeling a little tired and headache-y. This is made with made with peppermint, spearmint, and lavender oils to help give you some sweet relief. A 5-in-1 mini toothbrush — it's pre-pasted (no water needed) and doesn't require you to rinse after. When you need to get a quick floss in or just want to have a fresh smile, use these individually wrapped toothbrushes (and there's even a tongue scraper and a hidden toothpick). You're not going to want to look back on Instagram-worthy photos only to realize that you have spinach stuck between your teeth. A leak-proof Brumate stainless-steel cup since you deserve a cup that won't leave a leaky mess all over your car if your cupholders are preoccupied. Unlike other brands (IYKYK), this is designed with a lockable straw so you can just toss this in the passenger seat of your car or your purse without a care in the world. Or, a collapsible silicone water bottle because even though you love your refrigerator-size Stanley Cup, you sometimes need something a lil' smaller for your adventures. This is refillable and rolls up to be super compact when you're done sipping. And, a Springer leak-proof pet water bottle so even your furriest of friends can be hydrated throughout the day. This is equipped with a built-in bowl and all you do is simply squeeze the bottle to release water and lock the seal. The leftover water just sucks right back into the bottle! So genius! A belt bag that's basically a Lululemon look-alike, but for way cheaper. This has tons of storage and can be worn crossbody or fanny pack style. It's easy to grab when you're heading out for a quick errand and great to pack for a weekend trip where you won't want to be lugging around a heavy purse. A pack of flushable wipes for when you're going to the bathroom and see that the public restroom conveniently ran out of toilet paper. (UGH!) Keep these individually wrapped wipes in your purse or pocket for those emergency situations, so you can go about your day without having to use a toilet seat cover as toilet paper (sad, but a reality for some). A blister-preventing balm that easily glides on your ankles, toes, and heels so you can save yourself from saying "ow," "ugh," and "oof" every time you take a step in those new shoes you snagged for summer. This is small enough to throw into your bag and will prevent you from some nasty blisters. A mini bottle of hypochlorous acid spray you can spritz on your face to fight acne-causing bacteria and reduce redness. If you're one to get a little sweaty throughout the day, this comes in super handy to help keep your skin clear and hydrated. A pair of retro oval sunglasses because you care about protecting your eyes from the harsh sun, but want to do so in a way that makes you look like the hottest bombshell who walked into the villa. These look super similar to the Celine pair, but are way more affordable! You, on your way to your summer activities with everything you'll need in your bag: Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Chicago Tribune
15-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
SUN Meals answer summer hunger pangs
The kids sat at picnic tables at New Chicago's Twin Oaks Park Thursday munching on ham and cheddar submarine sandwiches provided by the food service department at the River Forest Community School Corp. 'They love it,' Britney Bansley said of her three children, Joshua Smith, 8, Cephas Smith, 6, and Evalynn Smith, 4. 'This my first time here because I have a random day off. My babysitter has been bringing them.' Bansley said she likes the program also because if the kids don't finish their meals, they're able to bring them home to eat later. River Forest is one of dozens of Northwest Indiana school districts and charter schools taking part in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's SUN Meals, a free summer nutrition program for children 18-and-under. 'Our kids really need it,' said River Forest food service director Nick Alessandri. 'Thirty-five is a pretty good turnout,' he said of Thursday's attendance at Twin Oaks. 'I definitely think the program is necessary.' Throughout the U.S., various sites, including schools, parks, libraries, and others offer free lunches while school is out to make sure children receive nutritious options. Formerly known as the Summer Food Service Program, it's been around for decades and received a menu update last year by the Biden administration with SUN Meals, SUN Meals To-GO and the new SUN Bucks program. This year, Indiana opted out of the second-year SUN Bucks program, which provides needy families in the Electronic Benefits Transfer program (EBT) with a grocery benefit of $120 per eligible school child. Indiana joined the program last year under former Gov. Eric Holcomb, but officials in the Braun administration blamed Holcomb's administration for insufficient planning and funding preparations leaving it unable to fulfill the program's requirements. The SUN Meals program, however, remains unaffected throughout the state. The Twin Oaks Park site is one five sites served by River Forest schools, said Superintendent Kevin Trezak. Twin Oaks is the lone one with a learning component, said New Chicago Park Board vice president Morgan McCabe. On Thursday, the children watched Patricia Riley-Churilla teach common American Sign Language phrases such as family and mother. They also have speakers from the New Chicago-Lake Station Public Library and the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. The kids craft art projects on Mondays and last year, they painted park benches, McCabe said. Trezak said the three offsites together are averaging about 85 kids a day. 'These are great numbers for us since the offsite spots are aimed to serve those with transportation needs,' he said. Northwest Indiana is home to multiple free school lunch sites from East Chicago to LaPorte. To find a site, see:
