By Baileigh Rebowe

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Children and teenagers eligible for enrollment in St. John the Baptist Parish Schools and younger than 18 can receive free lunch for seven weeks during the summer through the St. John Parish Summer Food Service Program.

St. John Parish Schools and the St. John Parish Department of Health and Human Services have teamed up to implement free school lunch at six designated sites around the parish.

There is no paperwork or other requirements involved.

According to the Marie Hall, Summer Food Service Program coordinator, school buses pass in normal neighborhood routes around the parish at about 10:30 a.m. on designated lunch days. The buses pick up children, bring them to eat at the nearest site and then transport them back home. Lunch is served at the sites from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

If those wishing to get lunch do not notice a bus passing in their neighborhood, they can call the DHHS, and a bus will be sent to their area.

Parents are allowed to drop children off at a site or bring them to eat, but parents must buy their own lunch. Children can receive lunch as often during the week as they like.

Lunch is served Monday through Thursday at these designated sites: Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School, East St. John High School, Fifth Ward Elementary School, Leon Godchaux Jr. High School, Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School and West St. John High School. The program ends July 21.

For more information on the program or to request a bus in your area, call DHHS at 985-536-4955.