School is out, and for many Valley families, that means that access to daily healthy meals for their school-aged children becomes more challenging. In fact, the Arizona Food Bank Network says that while Arizona produces 12 percent of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, one in every seven Arizonans struggles with food insecurity – the occasional or constant lack of access to food – throughout the year. There are resources available, however, and area schools will once again take the lead this summer.
Madison School District, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will participate in the Summer Food Service Program, which provides free meals to children 18 years of age or younger. Children do not have to be enrolled in any summer program or at Madison Elementary School District to participate and no application or paperwork is required. Community members wishing to participate should report to the school office and ask to be directed to the cafeteria. Meals must be consumed on-site and during meal times. Service is first-come, first-served.
Program locations include Madison No. 1 Middle School, 5525 N. 16th St., Monday through Friday, June 2 to July 25 (closed June 19 and July 4) from 7:45 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. (breakfast) and 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (lunch); Madison Camelview Elementary School, 2002 E. Campbell Ave., Monday through Thursday, June 2-18 (closed Fridays), from 7:55 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. and noon to 12:20 p.m.; Madison Park Middle School, 1431 E. Campbell, Monday through Friday, June 9 to July 3 (closed June 19), from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to noon; and Madison Heights Elementary School, 7150 N. 22nd St., Monday through Friday, June 2 to July 25 (closed June 19 and July 4), from 7:45 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m…