Some take part in the Denair Unified School District’s Summer Food Program because groceries are expensive, and putting nutritious meals on the table can often be difficult. Others take part simply because it’s a way to enjoy a nice meal outdoors in pleasant weather.
Whatever the reason, folks in Denair will be able to benefit from the program for another three weeks.
According to Kim Fuentez, the district’s food services manager who oversees the program, all DUSD students still can look forward to three nutritious meals per day through July 25. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Denair Middle School; lunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at DMS; and supper is served at Denair High School from 4 to 6 p.m. – Monday through Friday.
Earlier this summer, an average of nearly 600 meals were served each day, according to Fuentez. And, thanks to a $25,000 grant from Legacy Health Endowment, that total includes not only students but adults, as well – at no added expense to local taxpayers.
“The majority of the people we feed are associated with the school,” said Fuentez, who has a food-service background as a cook in the U.S. Marine Corps. “In the summertime, we feed the kids. And in the past, Mom or Dad or Grandma had to pay for their meal. This year, because of the grant provided by Legacy Health, those adult meals are covered.”
And whether it’s tri-tip, roasted chicken, spaghetti or submarine sandwiches … there’s something for every appetite.
Candida Baldwin, a member of the food service team at DUSD, got her start in the industry catering minor league baseball games at Modesto’s John Thurman Field. She’s glad to see that non-profit funding has made it possible to include adults.
“It’s nice this year to be able to see the parents coming in,” said Baldwin. “I wish we could feed even more.”
Typically, after summer school has concluded, the average number of meals served tends to wane considerably during July. That’s not been the case this summer.
“We haven’t had the same kind of drop-off this year,” said Fuentez. “Families are still coming out to eat, and I’m really thankful that we have the ability to feed them.”
Jeffrey Lewis, president and CEO of Legacy Health Endowment, praised DUSD’s food services team for their efforts.
“The food services team at Denair Unified is one of the finest groups of people that I’ve ever met,” said Lewis. “The dedication to students, families, and community is unparalleled. It is an honor to work with them and learn from them.”
And, Lewis has learned much this summer.
“The LHE grant, which covers 100 percent of the cost for adult meals, was created to gather a better understanding of the impacts of food insecurity on adults,” said Lewis. “Our objective with this funding was to validate the fact that food insecurity is a family challenge and not just one that faces children.”
