SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR NEW BOSTON CHILDREN PROVIDES MEALS AND JOBS

This summer I have been asked to be part of a new program which is providing nourishing meals for children in New Boston and throughout the Portsmouth area. The Ephphatha Outreach Center's Summer Food Program will continue to serve dinners to children Monday through Friday until August 20, ending just in time for most students to return to school on August 21.

The Ephphatha Outreach Center is a local satellite location of the Ephphatha Church, in Columbus and sponsored by the House of God on Second Street in Portsmouth.

Hot meals are provided and each meal has four components of the four food groups. Then it has to be a certain portion. All meals must meet USDA standards.

In addition to the meals, the summer program also is providing summer jobs to high school students in New Boston and Portsmouth. In New Boston, there is two sites: Millbrook Park and Village Square. Glenwood High School students help staff both sites and also work at the sites in North Moreland and in Sciotoville. All meals for the program are prepared at the kitchen in Stanton Elementary School.

I would like to mention that all children, ages 1-18 are eligible. There is no need for proof of age at the sites. In general, the program benefits include providing nutritious meals to needy children; gives children the food they need to learn, play and grow; helps families stretch their food-buying dollar; keeps children mentally engaged so they return to school ready to learn and provides summer jobs for our high school young people.

The New Boston Village Council and the New Boston Local School Board of Education have wholeheartedly supported this program. Thanks go the cooks from New Boston schools, the Village service department which is picking up trash at the local sites and to the local churches which are helping get the message out to children all over the New Boston area.

The Summer Food Service Program is locally administered by Pastor Sandra Latimore, of the House of God and also Harry Wadlington. For more information about the Ephphatha Outreach Center Summer Food Program, call (740) 285-4691 0r (740) 456-4640 or contact me at (740) 250-8319.

Mike Payton
6-14-2010