The Bonner Springs-Edwardsville School District will begin offering free week night meals to students through the Braves Supper Program on Oct. 3.
The program is offered in partnership with Opaa Food Management and is funded by the Child and Adult Care Food Program, a federal program that provides reimbursement for healthful meals and snacks served to children and adults.
For the first time in the district, Bonner Springs district students who are 18 and younger will be able to enjoy a free meal each week night during the school year.
District and Opaa officials surveyed parents to gauge interest in a supper program, and from there the program began.
“I’m pleased to share that a dedicated group of employees from the district and Opaa have been working hard over the past six months to bring all the pieces of the puzzle for this program together,” said Eric Hansen, director of business for the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville district. “Based upon the success of the Summer Food Service Program, we are excited that we can continue to enhance the food and nutrition opportunities our students and community members have access to. Obviously, we aren’t quite sure what our participation will be like initially but based upon our homework, we have identified a need that exists within the community and are working hard to address it.”
For the first year, the program will be offered at Bonner Springs Elementary School, where meals will be served from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, starting Oct. 3, with the exception of holidays and school closure days. Students 18 and younger in the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville district may go to the elementary school for the free supper.
There is no charge to the students 18 and younger, and if parents want to have a meal there with them, the parents or other adults can purchase a meal at the regular price, $3.60.
– Story from Kaela Williams, Bonner Springs-Edwardsville School District