The Faith Alliance, P.O. Box 806, West Chester, OH 45071
.png/:/rs=h:295,cg:true,m/qt=q:95)
Summer Lunch Program
The Summer Lunch Program is the Faith Alliance's most recognized and longest running ministry. More than 12 years ago, local churches (now the Faith Alliance) began to make bag lunches for children in the community who rely on free or reduced lunches during the school year, and may otherwise go without in the summer. Low-income neighborhoods were identified through partnership with Butler County Success liaisons. Currently, 20 percent of Lakota students are on free or reduced lunch, which equates to nearly 3,500 children!
The Summer Lunch Program goes beyond just providing food. In 2016, we partnered with Lakota Child Nutrition, which now provides lunches at community lunch sites, freeing up time for volunteers to show God's love in other ways. Many of the volunteers read, mentor and do other fun activities with the children. They have taken the kids on field trips and organized bike parades in the past. The Midpointe Library and police/fire departments have also visited the lunch sites during the summer.
2025
This year's program will kick off May 27 at three community sites: Meadow Ridge Apartments, Woodland Elementary School and Princeton Village. We are currently recruiting volunteers to supervise and interact with the children during lunch and programming. High school students and families are welcome!
2024
2019 USDA lunches were delivered to 3 low-income community lunch sites by Lakota Child Nutrition while The Faith Alliance focused on building relationships with the children served and providing enrichment opportunities. We saw 28% increase in participation at the 3 lunch sites this year. Community partner visits, a birthday carnival, weekly learning opportunities, daily attendance raffles, and book & bicycle distributions were well received by the children. Thank you to all of the volunteers, church partners, community partners, grantors and site coordinators who made this year's program possible!
2023
3112 USDA lunches were delivered to 4 low-income community lunch sites by Lakota Child Nutrition while Faith Alliance volunteers provided supervision, mentorship, activities, crafts and extra food to children ages 3-18 participating in the program. 52 refurbished bicycles were again distributed at the lunch sites throughout the summer.
2022
Over 140 children participated in the Summer Lunch Program with the help of 12 church partners and many volunteers. 3,905 USDA lunches were delivered to 4 community lunch sites by Lakota Child Nutrition, while Faith Alliance volunteers provided activities, crafts, games, bible stories, snacks and mentorship on-site. 55 refurbished bicycles were distributed at the lunch sites in 2022.
2021
Over 180 children participated in the Summer Lunch Program with the help of 12 church partners and many volunteers. 10,041 USDA meals (breakfast & lunch) were delivered to 5 community lunch sites by Lakota Child Nutrition.
2020
Due to COVID-19 constraints in 2020, volunteers were unable to assist with the lunches and were required to maintain social distancing. Instead, volunteers put together weekly children activity packs, groceries were provided to the children and their families, popsicles and other snack items were provided to enjoy and adult lunches were given at many of the sites. Some volunteers were even able to assist children with reading and writing while maintaining physical distance. As a result of the modified program, over 250 children and their families were served by Faith Alliance volunteers!
For more information or to volunteer, contact:
Cathy Borders, Director of Outreach, at info@thefaithalliance.com
