Higher Demand for Free Lunches in Umatilla County
UMATILLA COUNTY - School isn't in session for another month, but cafeterias are packed every weekday giving out free meals.
“The word spread last year,” said April Linnell, a site leader for the Umatilla School District. “Now they grab all their little cousins and their friends, they wait for us, there's a line when we get here so it's kind of crazy.”
In Umatilla, the district is handing out double the number of meals it did last year, serving about 200 a day. This program also serves parents, and they make up a fifth of the free meals.
“In the area we live, there's a great need for families and to keep them fed and taken care of for the summer and knowing they have full bellies,” said parent Corinne Funderburk.
The program barely breaks even each summer, but it's meeting a desperate need in these communities.
“The highest per capita poverty in Oregon is here and so this is a way we can feed families,” added Funderburk.
Across town it's the same story asHermiston has seen the demand continue to grow. The city heads-up a program that gives away 250 free meals a day.
Lunch server Gaby Villegas has seen the growth first hand.
"I have seen quite a bit of families and even before I get to this park. I'm coming from the other parks and I already see lines forming," said Villegas.
The free lunches are a big benefit to many, but especially young parents like Karley Arritt.
"Just show up and it's ready, and I love that it's healthy food and my kids have been excited about it,” said Arritt.
Times continue to be tough on families, but with free lunch programs in the summer, there's help to stay afloat.
“The word spread last year,” said April Linnell, a site leader for the Umatilla School District. “Now they grab all their little cousins and their friends, they wait for us, there's a line when we get here so it's kind of crazy.”
In Umatilla, the district is handing out double the number of meals it did last year, serving about 200 a day. This program also serves parents, and they make up a fifth of the free meals.
“In the area we live, there's a great need for families and to keep them fed and taken care of for the summer and knowing they have full bellies,” said parent Corinne Funderburk.
The program barely breaks even each summer, but it's meeting a desperate need in these communities.
“The highest per capita poverty in Oregon is here and so this is a way we can feed families,” added Funderburk.
Across town it's the same story asHermiston has seen the demand continue to grow. The city heads-up a program that gives away 250 free meals a day.
Lunch server Gaby Villegas has seen the growth first hand.
"I have seen quite a bit of families and even before I get to this park. I'm coming from the other parks and I already see lines forming," said Villegas.
The free lunches are a big benefit to many, but especially young parents like Karley Arritt.
"Just show up and it's ready, and I love that it's healthy food and my kids have been excited about it,” said Arritt.
Times continue to be tough on families, but with free lunch programs in the summer, there's help to stay afloat.
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