Powell Valley Healthcare is teaming up again with the Powell Recreation District and Americorp VISTA volunteers, Yogi Sullivan and Isaac Gutierrez, for the annual Powell Summer Food Service Program. 

With inflation hitting people hard, Travis Tucker, PVHC nutrition services director, is hoping this year more people take advantage of the program. 

“I’m hoping for a bigger year. I’m excited,” said Tucker. 

The program provides a free lunch to kids of all ages. The lunches will be served at two sites. With the help of the Powell Recreation District, lunches are served at Homesteader Park. The VISTA volunteers will also be serving at the park near Westside Elementary, by Grand Street. 

Lunch is served Monday through Friday, from noon to 1 p.m., and the program runs from Tuesday, May 31 to July 29. 

Tucker said the lunches provide fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a chance for members of the community to spend some time together. 

“What I like most is seeing the kids use the parks, and the fact we get to interact with the community, and give back to the community,” Tucker said. 

This is the fifth year PVHC has been offering the program, which is brought to the community through support and guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an equal opportunity provider. 

Since PVHC has been hosting the event, volunteers have served 19,142 meals. In 2020 alone, they served 6,208 lunches. 

To learn more about the program, call Travis Tucker at 754-1276 or visit the USDA website at www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program.