Columbus Recreation and Parks offers 'Go, Lunch!' summer program
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus Recreation and Parks Department kicked off its summer meal program to help children throughout the city get meals while on summer break.
The goal of the 'Go, Lunch!' program is to continue offering free and nutritious meals to the children in the community. Wednesday's event was held at the Scioto Southland Community Center.
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Meals are available at community centers or other locations around Columbus for youth ages 18 and younger.
'We want to make sure that kids are enjoying what they're eating and that it's not just, 'Oh, this is just another something, right?'' Kyra Jones, administrative manager of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, said.
Columbus Recreation and Parks said more than 245,000 meals were served in the Columbus area last summer. Organizers want parents to know these resources will be available again this year.
'We know that budgets are tight, right, so families are struggling to make sure they have all of their needs met,' Jones said. 'We want to help bridge that gap, so bring your child out for breakfast, bring them out for lunch, it's on us. It's free, no charge to the community, and all you have to do is call ahead to find out what times they are. We're here to support all of our families.'
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During Wednesday's event, children enjoyed lawn games and a special appearance by Munch the Fox, mascot for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
'It brings a smile to my heart,' Jones said. 'I hope that this program continues to flourish, I hope that we continue to grow. We would love to get even more communities. We're as far east as Reynoldsburg, we'd love to get in more north side communities to make sure that we are supporting the entire, not just Columbus community, but Franklin County.'
Applications are now open for any nonprofit organization that would like to become a part of the summer lunch program. To apply, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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