'Got Lunch' initiative aims to keep cupboards stocked for city's children this summer
LACONIA — Last summer, when the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry put a call out for donations, John Walker took notice. He was then moved, several months later, when a news report stated that two-thirds of the city's students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
What do those students eat during the summer break, he wondered. He worried what the answer to that question is. "We're here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, vacation capital, and our school kids are going to bed hungry. That seems crazy to me," Walker said.
Thinking about this problem, Walker dreamed up a solution and floated the idea to Warren Bouton, the pastor of the Congregational Church of Laconia, who suggested that he take his concept to a meeting of Lakes Region Better Together, where he gained support and contacts. Within a few weeks, Walker's idea had become an initiative and is on track to become operational in time for the end of the school year.
The resulting initiative, "Got Lunch!" will provide bags of groceries containing enough food to provide weekday lunches for children of Laconia schools.
It isn't a novel idea, it turned out. Paula Gile, who became the associate minister of the Congregational Church in December, had seen such a program function out of a church in Colchester, Vt., where she previously served.
In Colchester, the program is administered by a church. "Got Lunch!", in contrast, will utilize the Congregational Church as its financial agent but is otherwise not religiously affiliated. "This is truly a grassroots community effort, this is not a church effort," said Walker.
"If you are a child in the Laconia District, you qualify," said Gile, explaining that there won't be any income or other requirements for eligibility.
Walker and Gile think they'll be able to find the support to meet demand. "We have faith that people who don't need the program won't apply for it," said Walker. However, with about 1,500 students currently receiving free or reduced lunches in Laconia, he recognizes, "this could be a huge program."
"Got Lunch!" participants will receive a bag of groceries containing a loaf of whole wheat bread, fresh fruits and vegetables and ingredients to make sandwich fillings, such as peanut butter and jelly and canned tuna, chicken or turkey. Emphasis will be placed on healthy and locally-sourced ingredients. The New Hampshire Food Bank will be used as a source for some ingredients but produce will be acquired from Vista Supermarket or, if arrangements can be made, from local farmers.
Participants will have the ability to choose to either pick up their groceries on Sunday at the Congregational Church or have them delivered by lunch time on Monday. The program will run for 11 weeks, beginning June 19. Organizers are asking participants to sign up by June 1.
The estimated cost of "Got Lunch!" is $110 per student per summer. If participation is at levels they anticipate, it could become a costly progam. However, Gile and Walker think they've got enough support – from other religious organizations, from local banks and businesses, private donors and from service organizations – to provide filled grocery bags for every Laconia child who needs one.
Donations to the "Got Lunch!" programs can be mailed to the Congregational Church of Laconia, 18 Veterans Square, NH, 03246. Donations can also be made through the church's website, www.laconiaucc.org. For more information, e-mail Gile at paula@laconiaucc.org. Those interested in helping the program are also welcome to attend an organizational meeting held on Thursday, April 14, at 4 p.m. at the church's Parish Hall.
"I want to make sure no Laconia children go to bed hungry this summer," said Walker.
CAPTION with GOT LUNCH in AA:
Paula Gile, associate minister of the Congregational Church of Laconia, is shown here with John Walker. The two are part of the team behind the "Got Lunch!" initiative, which aims to provide lunches for all the children in Laconia who otherwise might go hungry this summer. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)
