What began as a generous effort to feed hungry families living in isolated, subsidized housing on Lea Hill has progressed into something greater for Auburn.

Today, more children are getting access to a healthy meal because of an ambitious, successful summer food service program that the Auburn School District launched four years ago.

The federally-supported program – in partnership with community organizations – is responding to a growing number of children in Auburn’s neighborhoods. With concerns about struggling families and childhood obesity, the nutritionally-minded school district is taking a healthy step forward.

As School District Superintendent Kip Herren puts it, “It’s the Auburn way of doing things.”

More families are bringing their young ones to the food lines at lunch sites established throughout Auburn, Algona and Pacific. Forty-four sites, manned by school staff and volunteers, are up and running this summer, efficiently getting the food to children. There are long lines and short lines, but food is provided at an amazing rate.

The program also delivers lunches to apartment complexes, churches and other venues throughout the city. It is a tough job considering the mobilization of food, staff and equipment among the many 10-minute meal sites.

“It is a huge amount of work for them,” said Eric Boutain, director of child nutrition services for the school district. “In the heat, it’s brutal work, but it’s rewarding.

“But what makes it work is the cooks’ willingness to get out and get (the meals) to the kids,” Boutain added. “I have to give the cooks all the credit for that.”

The results are gratifying, the need remains great.

“It is why I’m here,” said one mother, with three of her children in tow at Brannan Park. “There are many families who cannot afford to feed their children, at least with good food each day. This program is good for those families. This program helps so many.”

Angelika Erosalina, a Russian immigrant, frequently comes with her three children.

“It’s a great idea. It’s good for the children,” she said. “Many of the other children don’t have parents or don’t have the money for food.”

The free meals are available to children ages 1-18, regardless of race, creed or color, from now until Aug. 28, Monday through Friday. The lunches are provided at no charge through the United States Department of Agriculture. No registration is required.

The program is available as well to youth-related groups such as sports teams, day cares and youth camps.

A variety of hot and cold lunches is offered daily and includes an entrée, cold milk, and fresh fruits and vegetables – with much of the produce grown locally. Six schools cafetries prepare and dispatch the meals.

The summer lunch program fed more than 2,000 kids on Tuesday and again on Wednesday last week – a district record that doesn’t include breakfasts served at some sites.

More than 40,000 meals were served during the first summer of the program. More than 70,000 meals were distributed last year, and program officials expect to surpass 80,000 meals this summer, more than doubling the first-year mark.

The rising numbers unquestionably reflect hard times. But the program goes beyond addressing the needs of low-income families. The program is bringing more families together to share meals, friends and, in many instances, activities in nearby parks.

For many moms, lunch became easier and more accessible. For others, it is a means of getting by.

“It’s a great thing for our community to have diversity … to see the mixed races (sharing meals),” Boutain said. “It’s fabulous for the fabric of our community.”

The program works in many ways. By eating well, children learn well. The program extends into the classroom.

Did school district officials expect the program to be such a success?

“I didn’t envision it. I think the Mayor (Pete Lewis) did, Eric did and (then Superintendent) Linda Cowan did,” Herren said.

“We were just trying to help these kids on the hill who didn’t have any food (a few years ago). … It really exploded into possibilities.”

Note: For up-to-date lunch serving times and locations, please go to the Auburn School District Child Nutrition Services web page at: www.auburn.wednet.edu/ChildNutrition/ChildNutritionServices.html.