By KATIE STOCKSTILL
Morning Sun Staff Writer

Although school is not in session, Sharon Biancarelli is still hard at work making sure the food is prepared and the children are fed at Westside Elementary School.

Biancarelli, who's normally kitchen manager for George Nettels Elementary School, is in a new school for the summer but still going through the same routine. Monday through Friday, Biancarelli prepares and serves breakfast and lunch to hungry school kids at Westside.

As part of the Kansas Department of Education Summer Food Service Program, Pittsburg USD 250 provides free, walk-in breakfasts and lunches for children age 18 and younger. Adults can also eat at the school but must pay a small fee.

About 150 kids take advantage each day of the free meals, said Kelly Horn, director of USD 250 food services.

Nine-year-old Mason Feast said he made the trip to Westside Elementary almost every day for lunch.

"It's fun," Feast said. "The food is pretty good."

Aside from area children, daycare and summer camp groups also make the trip to Westside to enjoy the free meals.

Jayden Rusher comes to Westside with the YMCA day camp. Rusher likes the lunches, but the walk from the YMCA to Westside can be challenging.

"I don't like the walk," Rusher said. "It makes me hungry."

Horn said the summer program worked like the regular school meal program. "We get state and federal funding just like we do during the school year," she said.

The district has provided walk-in breakfasts and lunches for approximately 10 years and will continue the service to help low-income families and children whose parents work during the day. For many children, the school breakfasts and lunches are the easiest way to enjoy a hot meal, Horn said.

And while teachers and administrators get to enjoy their summer break, Biancarelli said she didn't mind coming to school during the summer.

"I like the kids," she said.

The Morning Sun, (www.morningsun.net) July 8, 2006

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