Lincolnton, NC – According to the NC Department of Public Instruction’s Child Nutrition Division website nearly 1 million children and teenagers could go hungry with school out for the summer. During the school year, many students rely on the nutritious meals served through their schools breakfast, lunch, and after school meals programs. The thirst for learning and hunger do not take a summer breaks. The North Carolina Summer Nutrition Program serves meals at no cost to children and teens ages 18 and younger at almost 3,000 locations about our state.

Boger City United Methodist Church’s 5th Annual Summer Lunch and Enrichment Program continues to provide physical and spiritual nutriment, to planting seeds, and reaping an abundant harvest. Over the past 4 years, their children’s ministry has grown exponentially from feeding 200+ in 2015 and 2016, 553 children in 2017, and 585 in 2018 children 18 years old and younger regardless of their parents income. Over the past 4 years, their church has been extremely appreciative for the parents bringing their children, their grandchildren, etc to their meal site.

The 5th Annual BCUMC Summer Lunch & Enrichment Program started Monday, June 17th and will run through Friday, July 26th in their Fellowship Hall, located at 2320 East Main Street in Lincolnton. There are several things differentiating BCUMC Summer Lunch & Enrichment Program from other 14 meal sites participating meals sites sponsored Lincoln County Schools Child Nutrition Department. Their church volunteers will be serving a USDA approved free bag lunch consisting of a sandwich, vegetable, fruit, and milk prepared by Lincoln County Schools Child Nutrition Department to children 18 years and younger from 12:00 NOON to 12:30 P.M. weekdays regardless of their parents income. A healthy snack will be served to adults accompanying their children. A variety of free enrichment arts/crafts, educational, entertaining programs, and/ or children movies have been scheduled from 11:00 A.M. to 11:45 A.M. Children, parents/guardians, grandparents, and other responsible adults accompanying the children are encouraged to arrive before their enrichment programs begin.

In addition to feeding the children’s bodies, one of BCUMC Summer Lunch & Enrichment Program greatest successes has been to give each child a book to take home daily. Over the past 4 years, the church has given attending their meal an assortment of items including baseball caps, coffee mugs/cups, dental and personal hygiene products, Frisbees, headbands, miniature US Flags, socks, T-shirts, thermos bottles, wrist bands, and other surprises. As a result of going above and beyond what was required of a Summer Meal site, their church was the recipient of the NC Department of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Services prestigious 2017 Superior Meal Award.

On Friday, June 28th, McCamy Holloway, Registered Dietician, Summer Nutrition Consultant with NC Department of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Division and Ray F. Sun,their mascot, will make an appearance and provide a nutrition education related activity entitled “Fuel Up For Summer Fun” at BCUMC Summer Lunch & Enrichment Program. Children and their parents are encouraged to attend. According to Summer Nutrition Summer Nutrition Programs, Ray’s middle initial “F” stands for food, fitness, and fun—- all things offered by summer nutrition programs to ensure students return to school healthy, fit, and ready to learn.

A partial list of arts/crafts, educational, and entertaining programs scheduled for the 5th Annual BCUMC Summer Lunch & Enrichment Programs are highlighted.

Tuesday, July 18th- Dental Health with Prissly Helms & her puppet, Mike Molar
Wednesday, July 19th- Sports Hydration Fun
Thursday, July 20th- Dawson Hart, US Army Veteran and His service dog, Riley
Friday, June 21st- “ Making Dirt Babies”
Monday, June 24th – “Fun With Flags” Making Your Own
Tuesday, June 25th- Balloon Man Mike shares his balloon magic
Wednesday, June 26th- “On Bended Knee Puppets with Heather Smith
Thursday, June 27th – Carving Duck Decoys Demonstration with Brandon Finger
Friday, June 28th- “Fuel Up For Summer Fun” with McCamy Holloway and Ray F. Sun
Monday, July 1st- Music and Sing Along With Katie
Tuesday, July 2nd- Folktales with Ricky Detter
Wednesday, July 3rd- Wonderful Wednesday Games with Libby and Lori
Thursday, July 4th – Close ( Independence Day)

A complete listing with more details will be available in their June and July activity calendars. However, due to extenuating circumstances, it might be necessary for their program volunteers to cancel or to reschedule.