Danny Mogle

During the school year, many children receive nutritious food as part of school breakfast and lunch programs. When classes let out, these same children are often home all day and face the prospect of relying on junk food — or worse yet, doing without.

The East Food Bank isn’t about to let that happen.

All summer, the food bank will deliver free nutritious lunches to playgrounds and other community sites in traditionally low-income neighborhoods as part of its annual Summer Food Program.

“Proper nutrition is vital to the growth and development of children, particularly for low-income children,” the food bank notes on its website. “Children benefit nutritionally by receiving well-rounded meals while parents are able to stretch their food dollars further.”

Volunteers not only drop off food, they often stay on site and supervise activities to make sure that the kids are in a safe and fun environment. Last year, the program helped feed more than 100,000 children.

The program begins on Tuesday. Times and days vary depending on the location. At many of the 60 sites the food will be served through Aug. 22.

Locations are in Alto, Arp, Atlanta, Carthage, Crockett, Flint, Gun Barrel City, Hallsville, Hawkins, Henderson, Jacksonville Karnack, Kilgore, Long-view, Mabank, Marshall, Martin’s Mill, Mineola, Mount Pleasant, New Summerfield, Palestine, Queen City, Reklaw, Rusk, Tyler (including most city parks), Waskom and Wills Point.

For a complete list of locations, see the East Texas Food Bank’s website.

Registration is not required. All children need to do is show up.