City parks and rec department providing summer meal program

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
For more than 15 years children have been spending their summers out of school at the Chucky Mullins Center in Russellville.
This summer is no different.
The Russellville Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the summer feeding program from 8 a.m. until noon each day Monday through Friday until July 18.
"We get a grant that allows us to do this program," Russellville Parks and Recreation Department director Chad Sears said.
The program is available for children five to 18 years old. There is no registration, other than signing in as you arrive each day.
Sears said the program gives kids a good place to go and learn during the summer months.
"We have a certified teacher here," Sears said. "We try to combine education and having a good time."
The program also routinely features speakers from throughout the community who have gone on to be successful.
On Thursday, former Russellville and University of North Alabama football standout Reggie Hubbard and former Russellville and current Tusculum College player Jarrell Nesmith spoke to the students.
"We just want them to see people who have worked hard and gone on to do good things," Sears said. "It won't always be a football or basketball player, but we want them to hear what it takes to get an education and be successful."
The program provides lunch for the students each day.
"We get the meals from Russellville Elementary School so there is a good lunch here for them every day," Sears said.