Lawton Public Schools is ready to launch its popular summer feeding program, with most sites opening June 1.
Free summer lunches have been a part of the district’s programs for a long time, but in recent years district nutrition officials have expanded the program to provide breakfast at some sites and use vehicles to expand the number of sites providing free meals for youth while classes are out for the summer.
Daniel Ghrayyeb, director of child nutrition for LPS, said the district’s first feeding site will open at Central Middle School, 1201 Fort Sill Blvd., May 26 (the Tuesday after Memorial Day), while other sites will open June 1. The Central site will serve breakfast and lunch; other sites may serve one or both meals. Some sites adhere to the district’s four-day work week (Monday through Thursday); other sites serve Monday through Friday.
“It’s always multi-faceted,” Ghrayyeb said, explaining LPS offers different meals at different locations and times to reach the largest number of youth. “We always want to have food available for all kids, not necessarily LPS students, but any youth up to age 18 and any student enrolled in LPS (some LPS students are older than 18).”
He also said LPS continues to expand its locations, casting the widest possible net to ensure as many youth as possible get a free meal. The goal is sites where youth will be.
“We’re always trying to get food closer to students,” he said, adding the district also wants to help parents by ensuring their children have at least one good meal a day.
To that end, LPS has added Lee West Park’s Thunder Court at Southwest 67th Street and Lynnwood Avenue as an outside sack lunch, joining other park sites at Greer Park’s Kid’s Zone, Northwest 38th Street and Meadowbrook; and Elmer Thomas Park, Northwest 5th Street and Northwest Ferris Avenue. Ghrayyeb said the exact Elmer Thomas Park stop is under discussion, to keep the delivery vehicle away from construction but close to the spray park and aquatics center.
Some sites will serve meals inside the building; other sites will provide sack lunches. Ghrayyeb said the idea is offering children the food they enjoy, such as corn dogs, pizza and hot dogs. He said while breakfast is available at some sites, lunch is the more popular meal.
“We have a lot more participation at lunch,” he said.
Sites include schools that are hosting summer camps. Some sites will be open in July.
Ghrayyeb said the summer nutrition program is important for LPS, especially in a year where everyday items are getting more expensive for families.
Sites serving from June 1-July 24 unless otherwise noted
On-site meals
Eisenhower High School, 5202 W. Gore, breakfast 8 a.m.-9 a.m.; lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Central Middle School, 1201 Fort Sill Blvd., breakfast 8 a.m.-9 a.m.; lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (Starts May 26.)
Cleveland Elementary School, 1202 SW 27th, breakfast 8 a.m.-9 a.m.; lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (June only) Monday-Thursday
Douglass Learning Center, 102 E. Gore, lunch 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (June only)
Freedom Elementary School, 5720 Geronimo Road, Fort Sill, lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Lawton High School, 601 Fort Sill Blvd., breakfast 8 a.m.-9 a.m.; lunch 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday
Life Ready Center, 702 NW Homestead, breakfast 8 a.m.-9 a.m.; lunch 11 a.m.-noon (June only) Monday-Thursday
Pat Henry Elementary, 1401 NW Bessie, breakfast 8 a.m.-9 a.m.; lunch 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (June only) Monday-Thursday
Sack lunch sites
Elmer Thomas Park, 501 NW Ferris (near the aquatics center and spray park), 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
H.C. King Center, 1705 NW 20th, noon-12:15 p.m.
Kay Dee Daycare, 2206 SE E, 11:30 a.m.-noon.
Kids & Kompany Family ChildCare, 1701 N. Sheridan, 11:15 a.m.-noon.
Kid’s Zone, Northwest 38th Street and Meadowbrook, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Lee West Thunder Park, Southwest 67th Street and Lynnwood Avenue, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Owens Multi-Purpose Center, 1405 S. 11th, 11:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Patterson Community Center, No. 4 NE Arlington, 11 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, 1504 NH Jones Avenue, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Grace Fellowship Church, 5333 NW Liberty, 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. (July 21-24).
Lawton Community Theatre, 1316 NW Bell, noon-12:30 p.m. (June 29-July 10).