Summer feeding program begins

Summer break is in full swing for Russellville students, and that means the city’s summer feeding programs have resumed.

Until July 27, children ages 5-18 can visit the Russellville Parks and Recreation Bishop Center and Chucky Mullins Center from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday to receive a free breakfast and lunch and participate in supervised activities.

Other feeding sites for children younger than 5 and those who will not be participating in camp activities include the Canteen, Eastside Apartments and Westside Apartments.

Breakfast is served from 8:15-9:15 a.m., and lunch is served from 11:15-12:15 a.m. at the feeding sites and camp sites. Children ages 5-18 may sign up to stay at the camp sites from 8 a.m. to noon. Children younger than 5 can eat at any of the feeding sites, but they aren’t allowed to stay for the day camp.

Activities coordinator Carrie Dover said the day camp provides a variety of activities for Russellville children. She tries to provide a “water day” at least once a week, when they go outside and play with water balloons and similar toys. Once a month, Dover organizes a pool day for the children.

“We don’t provide transportation, so the parents must drop off and pick up at the pool,” Dover said.

Other days, members of the Russellville Fire Department and Russellville Police Department come to the camp sites and play dodgeball with the children.

“They all really enjoy it, especially the older kids. It can get competitive,” Dover said.

According to child nutrition program director Elaine Vaughn, the food served meets the same standards set for the schools during the school year and for the food served at the Russellville City Schools summer feeding programs.

At RCS, breakfast is served from 7:30-9 a.m., and lunch is served from 10:45-11:45 a.m.

Between the two programs combined, more than 8,000 breakfasts and more than 10,000 lunches were served last summer.

“Our goal is to feed as many kids as we can,” Vaughn said.