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Homegrown Springfield to provide free lunch for children this summer

Food service worker Leyda Rosado makes sure 2 1/2 year old Fabian Cruz has his free lunch secured in his backpack as the Summer Food Service Program of Springfield's Public Schools got underway at many sites around the city. They are at the Mason Square Public Library branch. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 6/27/2022

8-year old Jordan Crespo settles in to eat his lunch with mom Melissa Rubner and sister Ariana Cotto, 18, as the Summer Food Service Program of Springfield's Public Schools got underway at many sites around the city. They are at the Mason Square Public Library branch. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 6/27/2022

11-year old Abdiel Oquendo and 8-year old Ivaniel Diaz pick up their free lunches from Leyda Rosado as the Summer Food Service Program of Springfield's Public Schools got underway at many sites around the city. They are at the Mason Square Public Library branch. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 6/27/2022

This is the cheeseburger with tater tots and baked beans lunch served today as the Summer Food Service Program of Springfield's Public Schools got underway at many sites around the city. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 6/27/2022

Leyda Rosado puts out the cold portions of today's hot hamburger lunch that kicked off the Summer Food Service Program of Springfield's Public Schools. Located at many sites around the city, this one is at the Mason Square Public Library branch. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 6/27/2022

The Summer Food Service Program of Springfield's Public Schools got underway Monday, June 27, 2022 at many sites throughout the city. This is the Mason Square branch of the Springfield Public Library. (Don Treeger / The Republican)

Angel and Sebastian Cruz, with grandmother Sonia Fuentes, pick up their free lunches from food service worker Leyda Rosado as the Summer Food Service Program of Springfield's Public Schools got underway at many sites around the city. They are at the Mason Square Public Library branch. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 6/27/2022

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SPRINGFIELD — Through its yearly summer food service program, Summer Eats, Homegrown Springfield will work to ensure no child goes a day without a meal.

This summer, there will be a variety of dishes available with sides, such as cheese pizza, jerk chicken, sandwiches, and hot dogs.

Forty-three public locations, including schools, libraries and parks, will offer children 18 or under free lunches provided by Sodexo Food Service. The company operates Homegrown Springfield, which provides meals in Springfield Public Schools during the school year.

Meals are free and children do not have to register or provide identification. The program began Monday and continues until Aug. 19.

“Our current list is up to 43 sites, but that number will continue to grow as more community organizations and partners throughout the city are being added,” Lydia Rodriguez, marketing communications director for Homegrown Springfield, said.

Partners of Homegrown Springfield, such as Gregg Mitchell, supervisor of the Springfield City Library Mason Square Branch, are happy to lend a helping hand and ensure children in Springfield keep a full stomach this summer.

“I feel like we’re always trying to connect with our community and figure out what those needs are,” Mitchell said. “When we can identify those needs, an opportunity comes into play.”

Sonia Fuentes, who visited the Mason Square library on Monday with her grandkids Angel and Sebastian Cruz, said she is grateful for the free food service program.

“It’s good for the kids,” Fuentes said. “They can take the food home and enjoy it (and) it’s good food.”

Rodriguez said Homegrown Springfield will feed as many children as possible and expand the number of meals available at a given site once it determines how many children stop by daily. The program generally serves 30,000 children a summer.

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