For too many Pueblo youngsters, if there is a dinner bell, it’s ringing for someone else and somewhere else. Twenty-first century economics, in Pueblo and across the country, often mean that the signal for an early morning or noon time meal rings silent.
But this summer in Pueblo’s School District 60, there is the clang of a lunchtime bell for any young person who wants or needs breakfast or lunch. In fact, a year-round free breakfast or lunch has been available for Pueblo’s school kids for the past two decades.
The now established program in Pueblo aimed at feeding kids from low-income families—or anyone under 18 who wants a bite—began on June 11 and will continue through the end of July. The only rules for grabbing a bite, said D-60’s Dana Elkins Greene, are that the meal has to be consumed on site and that those stopping in for a meal must present a valid ID.
Times for breakfast at most sites are 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Lunches will be served from noon to 12:15 p.m. For exact times and locations visit the District 60 website at https://d60online.pueblod60.org/school-meals.
Locations for the morning and lunchtime meals are scattered across the city and set mostly in elementary schools but not exclusively. Pueblo East High School and three of the city’s Boys & Girls Clubs also have morning and noontime meals. The Patrick A. Lucero Library, a long-time eastside location for the program, is not included in this summer’s effort because of long scheduled renovations. Belmont’s Heaton Middle School will only be providing breakfast.
“Our goal,” said Elkins Greene, “is to feed kids.” While there are detractors to any program offering ‘free stuff,’ the nutrition expert scoffs at such an idea. “There is an actual need,” she said, punctuating her words with a firm timber. Any young person coming in for breakfast or lunch, she said, is fed. “We don’t ask, it doesn’t matter to us.” The nutrition specialist, who speaks fluent ‘no nonsense,’ says it may be the summer break, “but hunger doesn’t go on vacation…our goal is to feed kids, no matter what.” Social standing, she said, is not part of the criteria.
Breakfast, said Elkins Greene, is usually a whole grain muffin and a piece of fruit, an apple or orange. Lunches are a sandwich, vegetable and milk. Menus, which are posted on the district website, she said, conform to government nutrition guidelines.
Food for the long running program is as fresh as possible and paid for with district funds. None of the food, said Elkins Greene, is the near-expiring food often donated by grocery stores to food shelters.
Retired District Chief Judge Dennis Maes, now a member of the District 60 School Board, says the summer meal program is essential. “In order for children to learn and be in a good environment, it’s important for them to get a daily meal.” Maes also touts the city’s program for its efforts to procure food supplies locally. “Our food service groups,” he said, “do a great job all year round. They’ve been a blessing.”
