CMS Summer Meals
Posted: June 16, 2008 06:07 PM EDT
Updated: June 16, 2008 06:29 PM EDT

Thousands of Charlotte Mecklenburg students depend on getting a hot meal from CMS everyday. But now that school is out some may wonder if youngsters will go hungry this summer. The state is stepping in by simply feeding thousands of students and picking up the tab.  The state's health and human services agency pays for the meals.   Ashley Park Elementary is one of about 140 sites throughout the county that provides something boys and girls need.....especially after the weekend.

18 thousand students are expected to come through a line like this to get something to eat this summer. Listen to why Monday mornings are so important to these students.

Amy Harkey is with CMS Child Nutrition Services: "We've seen numerous children who are hungry on Monday mornings. This is their primary meal on a given day during the summer program."

Ashley Park Elementary is one of the places breakfast and lunch will be served Monday through Friday. Most students who use this service qualify for the free and reduced lunch. These kids we caught eating pizza today are from the Bethlehem Center summer camp program. Sheree Dykes is the camp coordinator and says the kids are grateful for the meals. Listen to kids reaction after they get fed.

"Ms. Sheree that food was good today..they'll tell one of their teachers they enjoyed whatever they ate throughout the day. Because they are on the go a lot throughout the summer and we're outside a lot it's important for them to be able to get a meal."

This program has been around for more than 20 years but this summer more people may be taking advantage of these free meals.

Harkey says: "I would think the summer program will increase based on the economy and people out of work."

The meals are not just for the students but for their parents too.

"I think we are a bright service to the community."

If a parent does comes to get a meal with their child.. they must pay a small price. Besides hot meals the program will also provide 35 hundred bag lunches a day for students in summer camps that can't come to facilities stationed around the county. The free meals last until August. The meals are provided for adults and free for anyone under 18 years old. For a list of the 137 sites around the county you can go to our web channel WBTV.com and click on All Access. For more information you can call 980-343-6041.