CAPC adds more locations for youth meals

The Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County will welcome three new sites to the federally funded Summer Food Service Program it runs over the next couple of months.

Mary J. Mathewson, the Planning Council's family center project manager, said 17 sites will participate with the summer program, and three more are pending. Two of the new sites are on Fort Drum, and one is in the city.

"All four community centers on Fort Drum are even participating," she said. "The two sites from there did very well last year, and I think that's what got the other two on board."

Some sites will begin to serve breakfast, lunch and/or a snack either the last week in June or first full week of July, but the program will not run on Monday, July 5 in recognition of Independence Day.

Mrs. Mathewson said she cannot give an estimate of the number of children who may have a meal or snack this summer, but said the program should be on track to meet or exceed last year's figures. In 2009, there were 2,170 breakfasts and 10,852 lunches served, as well as 4,754 snacks.

"We always hope it'll be more," she said. "You leave off where school lunch ends. The program is so those children can get a nutritious lunch."

A typical breakfast may be cereal, fresh fruit, juice and/or milk, while a typical lunch may consist of a sandwich, fruit, vegetable and juice and/or milk. Children may receive a light snack such as peanut butter and crackers.

The program is based on volunteers to serve meals and watch after the children. Some locations are summer recreation sites who have paid employees on staff, as do a couple of organizations that host sites as well.

Times and dates are subject to change, Mrs. Mathewson said.

Meals and/or snacks will be offered at the following locations throughout July and August: CAPC's 518 Davidson St. location, Salvation Army, 723 State St.; Maywood Terrace, 239 Maywood; Carthage Recreation, 1 Park Drive; Evans Mills Recreation Program, 11 Schell Ave.; Friends Settlement, 300 Quaker Ave., Philadelphia; and Philadelphia Recreation, 3 Sand St.

Other sites include Adirondack Creek, Monument Ridge, Richard Hills and Crescent Wood, all on Fort Drum.

Sites throughout the rest of Jefferson County include Bethany Methodist, 214 W. Lynde St., Huntington Heights, 1620 Huntington St., Meadowbrook, at Burns and Walker Avenue, Mountaineer Estates, near the Ohio Street Elementary School, all Watertown; Carthage YMCA, 250 State St.; and Theresa Recreation, 1 Park Drive.

Mrs. Mathewson said questions about the program may be directed to her by calling the Planning Council at 782-4900.