All children up to age 18 – including all Monroe Public Schools students – will be able to enjoy a free lunch every week day this summer thanks to a program administered locally by the Speckled Frog Early Learning Center.  Seven sites throughout the Monroe Public Schools district are hosting the open free lunches, including Monroe High School where the Summer Learning Academy is being held.

          “We are glad to make our sites available this summer for this nutritious lunch program.  With seven places offering public lunches, there is a pretty good chance no one will have to go far for lunch,” said Julie Everly, assistant superintendent, Monroe Public Schools.  “It is a real benefit for our Summer Learning Academy students to be able to have lunch as part of the school day.  Siblings are invited to lunch, too, as long as they meet the age requirement.”

          No registration is necessary and anyone 18 and younger is welcome to come and have lunch.  Any child five or younger will have to be accompanied by an adult.

          Here are the participating locations open for the public and their hours of operation.  Note that lunches are served Monday through Friday, with one exception.

• Monroe High School, 11:45 a.m. through 12:45 p.m., through July 30.  Lunches served Monday through Thursday.
• Monroe Family YMCA, 11:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m., through August 28.
• Oaks of Righteousness Church, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., through August 28.
• Speckled Frog Learning Center, noon to 12:30 p.m., through August 28.
• Village Pines, noon to 1 p.m., through August 28.
• Waterloo Elementary School, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., July 13 through August 14.
• Willow Green Mobile Home Park, noon to 1 p.m., through August 28^th.

Free lunches also are provided at the Riverside Early Learning Center for pre-school only who are registered in those classes.