What's Cooking? -Food Bank News-

The Food Bank of Nevada County’s Summer Lunch Program Returns  

The Food Bank of Nevada County is very pleased to announce its 17th annual Summer Lunch Program for the Summer of 2022. This program gives children ages 2-18 free lunches Monday through Friday during the summer to replace what they would have received in school.  Participation is simple and easy. There is no need for advance registration or sign-up. Visit one of the locations and receive lunch, that’s it! This summer there will be a total of 10 locations all throughout the county.  

The libraries included will be the Madelyn Helling Library, the Bear River Station Library (on Tuesdays & Wednesdays only), and the Penn Valley Library. The libraries will serve their lunches from 12:00pm-1:00pm on weekdays from June 13th to July 29th. Here, students will be provided with fun summer learning activities alongside their lunches.  

The apartment complexes included will be Nevada Woods, Oak Ridge, Grass Valley Terrace, Valley Commons, Berryhill, and Courtyards at Penn Valley. The apartments will serve their lunches from 12:15pm-12:30pm on weekdays from June 13th to August 5th. The children do not have to be residents of these apartments to get lunch here, just meet in front of the apartment complex’s playgrounds.  

Finally, lunch will be served at the Condon Park skating area from 1:30pm-2:00pm on weekdays from June 13th to August 5th. The lunches offer the children great nutritional value and hydration for a vulnerable population that may be missing meals.   

The Food Bank would like to recognize the Lake Wildwood Association for hosting a food drive for the children’s program. This was a great success. Due to the size of the program, the Food Bank is always in need of more donations. If you would like to contribute, the items that are appreciated are individually wrapped snacks such as applesauce, crackers, nuts, and other children's food. These donations can be dropped off at 310 Railroad Avenue in Grass Valley on Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm.  

Last year, the Food Bank served over 5,000 free lunches to the children of Nevada County. The Food Bank hopes to be able to help as many children as possible in the coming year. If you would like to volunteer for this program, please go to www.foodbankofnc.org/volunteer to fill out a volunteer application. Success can only be possible with the support of the community.