Summer Lunch programs launch in the South Sound

Children and teenagers up to age 18 are eligible for free lunches under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program. Several sites throughout the South Sound are offering the program, which are completely free. Programs have already started in Olympia and Tumwater, and Lacey’s program starts Wednesday.

The Thurston County Food Bank also plans to host the U.S.D.A.’s summer lunch program at four South Sound locations. The food bank plans to start its own self-funded mobile summer lunch program for children. Locations for the mobile program, slated to start after July 4, will be announced at a later date.

The Lacey and Olympia programs also have free supervised playtime and activities, including crafts. Lacey's Playground Pals program is from noon to 3:30 p.m. for children ages 2 to 12. Children under six need to be accompanied by an adult. Olympia's Summer Kids in Parks Program, or SKIPP, will be after lunch to 3 p.m. in Woodruff Park, adjacent to Garfield Elementary, and in Lions Park. Dates for both Olympia and Lacey are the same as the lunch program.

Lacey Lunch: noon to 12:30 p.m.; Snack, 3 p.m. Dates: Wednesday June 24 to Aug. 14, Monday through Friday Locations: Lydia Hawk Elementary, 7600 Fifth Street. S.E.; Mountain View Elementary, 1900 College St. S.E.; Pleasant Glade Elementary, 1920 Abernethy Rd. N.E., Lacey.

Olympia Lunch: noon Dates: now through Aug. 14, Monday through Friday, except July 3. Locations: hot lunch at Garfield Elementary, 325 Plymouth St N.W.; sack lunch at Lion’s Park, 800 Wilson St. The Garfield menu is here.

Tumwater Lunch: noon to 12:30 p.m. Dates: now through Aug. 21, Monday through Friday Location: Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School, 225 Dennis St. S.E., Tumwater

Rochester Organization of Families Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon Dates: July 6 through Aug. 14, Monday through Thursday Location: Grand Mound Elementary School, 7710 James Rd. S.W.,

Boys and Girls Cluib, Rochester Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon Dates: now through Aug. 14, Monday through Friday Location: 10140 Highway 12, Rochester.

Falls Pointe Apartments Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon Dates: July 1 through Aug. 14, Monday through Friday Location: 411 Lee St S.W., Tumwater.

Evergreen Vista Apartments Lunch: noon to 12:30 p.m. Dates: now through Aug. 14, Monday through Friday Location: 1209 Fern St S.W., Olympia.

Evergreen Villages Lunch: noon to 12:30 p.m. Dates: now through Aug. 14, Monday through Friday Location: 505 Division St. N.W, Olympia.