Food program fills gap for hungry kids during summer

Children who might not have enough to eat are being fed two nutritious meals a day, thanks to a summer program run by the Culinary Training Academy.

Since 2003, the nonprofit Summer Food Service Program has been providing a free breakfast and lunch to children ages 1 to 18 years old, and for people with disabilities, says Yaneth Murillo, program coordinator.

This year's program started in June and runs through Aug. 24, Mondays through Fridays. An average of 700 children a month are fed at 12 locations across the valley, including Boys & Girls Clubs and Las Vegas community centers, Murillo says.

Most of the children who use the program qualify for free and reduced-price meals during the school year. "But when school is out they don't get nutritious meals," Murillo says.

The food is made at the academy by a staff of eight. Two drivers deliver the two sets of meals one day in advance, Murillo says.

All meals meet federal nutrition guidelines with food from the basic food groups, Murillo notes. Lunches include ham and cheese sandwiches, chef's salads, turkey sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, chicken fingers, taco wraps and taco salads. Breakfasts consist of fresh fruit or real juice, cereals and muffins.

The Culinary Training Academy provides food service, housekeeping and other hospitality training for people who work in casinos and hotels.

But the academy also runs several nonprofit food programs with funding from the state and local governments, Murillo says.

In addition to the summer food program, the academy provides meals to The Salvation Army, the Las Vegas Rescue Mission and other agencies, Murillo says. A free breakfast and lunch program also runs throughout the school year at select local schools, she adds.