
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 12, 1990                   TAG: 9006120333
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM TO GROW

Roanoke's summer food program for needy children will be expanded from 9 to 13 meals sites this year, and the number of meals will be increased by 67 percent because city officials say there is a need for it.

Officials estimate that up to 1,000 youngsters a day will be provided free breakfasts and lunches.

City Manager Robert Herbert said the city expects to provide 40,000 meals to poor children this year, up from 24,000 last summer.

The federally funded program provides free meals for needy children up to age 18. The eligibility guidelines for the summer program are similar to those for the free and reduced-priced school lunch program.

In a report to City Council, Herbert said the expansion of the program to 13 sites "reflects the success of last year's program and the broad need existing for such a program."

A United Way survey estimated that 1,333 families in Roanoke have problems providing nutritionally balanced meals for their children. The families are concentrated in the Northwest and Southeast sections of the city.

The free meals will be provided for children at six public housing projects: Jamestown Place, Indian Rock Village, Hurt Park, Lincoln Terrace, Hunt Manor and Bluestone Park.

They also will be offered at the YMCA Family Life Center, Total Action Against Poverty's Academic Summer School, Fallon Park Elementary School, Rutherford Child Development Center, Lincoln Terrace Head Start Center, Hurt Park Head Start Center and the Forest Park Baptist Church.

The meals will be provided Monday through Friday from June 18 to Aug. 24.

Herbert said the food program will cost $73,243, but there will be no cost to the city because the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide reimbursement for all meals.

The city's Department of Human Resources will contract with TAP, the city Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Fifth District Employment and Training Consortium to operate the program.

TAP will prepare the meals and deliver them to the sites at an average cost of $1.65 for each lunch and 95 cents for each breakfast.

Council voted Monday night to approve the contracts for the program.

by CNB