Amy Marburger, food and nutrition manager with CrossNet Ministries, is looking forward to providing nourishment to ELANCO School District students through the 2021 free summer lunch program, which will start on Monday, June 7. Marburger would like to hear back from those who wish to participate by Tuesday, June 1.
Marburger also detailed some changes in this year's program, which will run through Thursday, Aug. 26. "We will do a two-day-a-week pickup," she explained. "On Monday, students will receive three lunches and on Thursdays two lunches." Marburger added that the CrossNet pickup location will be at the CrossNet Youth Center, 110 W. Franklin St., New Holland, from 11 a.m. to noon, and it will be by drive-by or walkup. Because July 4 is on a Sunday this year, CrossNet will be closed on Monday, July 5, and the lunch pickup will be held on Tuesday, July 6. Additional pickup locations will be Petra Church, 565 Airport Road, New Holland from 11 to 11:30 a.m.; the Garage Door Skatepark, 113 Conestoga St., Terre Hill, from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.; and Pine Grove Church, 1194 Reading Road, Bowmansville from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Parents of students who do not have transportation to one of the pickup sites should contact their school principal or call CrossNet at 717-355-2454 for assistance with summer lunches.
According to Marburger, the bag lunches will include a main food item, such as a sandwich or chicken nuggets, along with fruit, chips, a dessert item, and a beverage. Additional snack items will be included as well when available. The program is open to students ages 1 to 21 who are registered and attending school in the ELANCO School District and who are eligible for free and reduced-cost school lunches.
Marburger noted that the organization is grateful to the community organizations that help the program with donations, including Grocery Outlet Bargain Market and Yoder's Country Market in New Holland, Shady Maple Farm Market in East Earl, and the Village Farm Market near Hinkletown.
More than 75 total volunteers and staff are needed to pack lunches, deliver the meals to pickup locations, and pick up donations. Volunteers will be needed from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday through Thursday each week. Individuals who wish to volunteer may register at https://signup.com/go/AjViPZC. Students age 16 and up are welcome to volunteer.
In addition to volunteers, Marburger noted that the program is especially in need of individually packaged snack foods.
Readers who would like to learn more about CrossNet may visit http://www.elancocross.org.
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