Officials Thursday celebrated Salina’s summer effort to feed hungry children, and a statewide effort to provide a millions meals for hungry children.

A ceremonial ribbon cutting at Schilling Elementary School signified the beginning of the free summer lunch program.

The free lunches are for all children ages one through eighteen.

USD 305 Director of Food and Nutrition Services Cindy Foley says that a statewide goal this year is to provide a million meals. Locally, Salina officials hope to provide 27,000 meals. Last year during the summer program, 3895 breakfasts and 22,533 lunches were served to Salina children at eight open sites and one enrolled site.

Foley says that the free meals are a service that is needed in Salina because locally there are hungry children. She adds that the program is well worth it, saying “how can you go wrong feeding hungry children?”

Along with children eating for free, adults are welcome to eat for $3.50. Breakfast price for adults is $1.75. There is no fee or registration required to receive meals.

This year’s program runs now through – July 19th.

The Free Summer Meal serving sites are:

Heusner Elementary, 1300 Norton, northwest doors by art room

Oakdale Elementary – 811 E. Iron, west doors off Penn Street

Schilling Elementary – 3121 Canterbury, side door by gym

Sunset Elementary – 1510 W. Republic, north doors off of playground

Cottonwood Elementary – 215 S. Phillips, Baker Street entrance

Kennedy Early Learning Center – 700 Jupiter, north double doors off Venus Street

Church of the Cross – 1600 Rush, southeast door

Salvation Army – 1137 N. Santa Fe, front door

All sites except Cottonwood will serve a free summer lunch from 11:30 a.m. – noon, Monday through Friday. Cottonwood will serve free lunches from 12-12:30 p.m. No meals will be served on Thursday, July 4. Breakfast will be served only at the Cottonwood site from 7:45-8:15 a.m. now through June 28.