RESERVE — All St. John the Baptist Parish children have access to free and nutritious summer meals, regardless of family income level.

Breakfast and lunch are being served at distribution sites around the parish throughout June and July as part of the summer feeding program.

St. John Health and Human Services director Rhonda Lemons said the program dates back years in St. John Parish and was likely implemented due to high count of students on free and reduced lunch plans.

“Kids who would normally not have a nutritious meal when they’re outside of school now do have a nutritious meal,” Lemons said. “We are delighted to be able to facilitate that process for all of the children in the community”

The program is facilitated by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, according to Lemons.

Meals are being served at West St. John High School, East St. John High School, East St. John Preparatory Academy and New Wine Christian Center’s Fellowship Kitchen.

All locations will be closed July 4-5 in observance of Independence Day.

West St. John High, located at 480 Highway 3127 in Edgard, is serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, through July 19.

East Bank feeding locations serve breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in addition to lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

East St. John Preparatory Academy, formerly known as East St. John Elementary, is located at 400 Ory Drive in LaPlace. The site will host summer feeding through July 19.

Breakfast and lunch will be served at East St. John High School in Reserve and New Wine Christian Fellowship in LaPlace through July 26.

Acceptance and participation requirements for the program are the same for all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age, according to state guidelines.

Lemons said no identification is required to participate, and the program is not limited to public schools students and families.

“We’re trying to make sure we touch all of the schools, particularly those that have summer camps, training and practices going on,” Lemons said. “We also feed the participants at the St. John ARC because the school system does it, and we pick that up for the schools in the summer months.”

Lemons said it has been a blessing to see children come to the school for meals, whether by foot, bike or bus.

A bus dispatcher drives through the neighborhoods during breakfast and lunch hours to pick up children, Lemons said.

“The buses are out in the community,” Lemons said. “Our fliers give our department number for program questions and answers and transportation needs. If we get a call for transportation, we send the bus drivers back out.”

Summer feeding additionally provides an opportunity for family bonding, according to Lemons.

It isn’t uncommon to see parents pay for their own lunches so they can eat alongside their children.