Parks Program Feeds More Than Kids’ Hunger For Fun

Jason Lesley read hunger in the children’s eyes.

Their plea - “When’s lunch?” - only confirmed what he saw in their faces.

Four year ago, Lesley worked as a park leader at A.M. Cannon Park.

He supervised activities for 180 children and helped feed them, five days a week.

Lesley is now assistant food program supervisor for the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department.

“You really understand what those kids go through. For some it’s their only meal of the day,” Lesley said.

“Most kids are fine. But there are always a few that just look hungry.”

Since 1976, the Parks Department has offered free meals Mondays through Fridays at parks and community centers throughout the city. Citywide, the Parks Department serves meals at 22 sites to kids ages 4 through 17.

Last year the program distributed more than 15,000 breakfasts and 27,000 lunches during the summer months, Lesley said.

On the South Side, staff at Underhill Park and the East Central Community Center serve breakfast and lunch to kids.

Meals will continue to be served at Underhill Park through Aug. 7 and at the East Central Community Center through Aug. 22.

A meal site is approved if half or more of the children who live in the area are eligible for reduced or free lunches during the school year, Lesley said.

“Any child is welcome to come and eat,” Lesley said.

Children or their parents need only show up for breakfast or sign up for lunch, he said.

With the signing in, park staff know how many lunches to request.

Last Thursday, more than 60 lunches were delivered to the East Central Community Service Center.

On a grassy knoll outside, 6-year-old Jacob Balderas bit into his peanut butter cookie, sipped his milk and eagerly waited for his submarine sandwich, packed in a paper bag, to be delivered into his hands.

Sandwiches, hot dogs, vegetables, fruits and chocolate milk keeps the menu nutritious and varied.

Six-year-old David Osei, who has participated in East Central’s program for two years, said he’s a big fan of the chicken patty sandwich.

This summer the food is supplied by Marriott Education Services. The meals are prepared in the Cataldo Hall kitchen at Gonzaga University.

On any given day, Marriott staff will prepare anywhere from 300 to 400 breakfasts and 500 to 800 lunches.

Each year the Parks Department accepts bids on the summer food program. Last summer Spokane School District 81 provided the meals as the lowest bidder. Funds for the program are supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Three years ago, program officials added breakfasts to the daily fare.

“Lunch wasn’t enough for some kids,” Lesley said.

Typically, the number of children who come to the park or community center for a breakfast of cereal or cinnamon rolls is lower than those who show for lunch.

“It’s just like the school breakfast and lunch program,” Lesley said. “Some of these kids might not eat if they didn’t get it here.

“There’s a lot of hungry kids out there.”

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