Jun 13, 2016 By Luke Campbell 3 min read

As schools nationwide become more racially and economically diverse, providing 22 million qualified students with free and reduced-price meal programs has been an incessant effort from national organizations and school districts.

For the second consecutive year, Keystone Oaks School District is making sure the effort doesn’t subside during the months children are out of school, as it is one of nearly 30 sponsors in the state for the 2016 Summer Lunch Program, to bridge the food insecurity gap.

To kick off the program, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, visited the Dormont Pool on Monday to assist in distributing summer lunches to under-18 participants, a nutritious meal that many children either neglect or substitute with unhealthy options.

“There are a high percentage of students who rely specifically on the school lunches for a nutritious meal,” said Kevin Lloyd, Keystone Oaks director of food service. “When school ends, students, if they eat at all, normally choose unhealthier meals.”

Funded through the state Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, community organizations throughout the southwestern part of Pennsylvania served 1,057,504 meals at more than 600 distribution sites in 2015.

The program was initiated into Keystone Oaks municipalities last year, seeing the success of serving nearly 7,000 lunches over the course of three months.

“It’s very successful when children have access,” said Casey. “The biggest challenge we have is that nationally, only 10 percent of the kids eligible are getting the meals over the summer.

“It’s really a challenge of matching the eligible child with the program and a particular site,” he continued. “We know the great benefit that these programs provide for children and need to make sure kids have access to nutritious meals year around.”

Access is a hurdle Lloyd wanted to immediately overcome prior to starting the program.

“We just had to get creative and think outside of the box as to how to make it happen,” he said. “A lot of times, especially in the city, kids can’t walk to the locations. We had to get to the places the kids already were to maximize participation.”

The six Keystone Oaks locations where lunches will be available during weekdays also include Hamilton Park, Castle Shannon Library, Alvern Gardens, Dormont Park, Wilson Park and Keystone Oaks High School.

“We have to continue to figure out better ways of not only letting people know they are eligible and can take advantage of the program, but making it more convenient for families,” Casey said. “In Keystone Oaks, the outreach is there.”

No photo identification or signup is required for children to be able to receive a lunch. The school district has set up a voluntary text message service, through which children 13 years of age or older and their guardians can sign up to receive updates about the program. Those interested in signing up can text @2016SLP to 81010.

For more information about other summer lunch program distribution sites throughout southwestern Pennsylvania, families can call 2-1-1 or text FOOD to 877-877. Distribution times at the six locations for students within Keystone Oaks School District are available on the district’s website.