A new summer food service program for children in Malvern is providing free weekly meals to children in need, a nonprofit agency said.
The Central Arkansas Development Council is sponsoring a summer food program at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Malvern this summer.
The program began June 18 with eight children and will continue through Aug. 13, the agency said. The Central Arkansas Development Council said in a statement that the program has grown each week since its beginning. The free meals are served only on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1310 E. Mills St. in Malvern.
Volunteers who are running the summer program said more meal days could potentially be added to the schedule if needed.
To qualify for the free meals, children must meet the income guidelines for receiving reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program, or be part of households that receive food stamps or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits, the agency said.
A complete list of income requirements for free and reduced lunch is available here.
This is the first year the program has served children at the Malvern church. The meals are prepared at the Malvern Central Arkansas Development Council Senior Activity Center, and volunteers transport the food to the church. Volunteers are also planning a back-to-school supply drive for the children who are participating in the summer meal program.
More information about the Malvern program is available by calling Central Arkansas Development Council's Michelle Furlow-Hunter at (501) 332-5426.