The Hungry Hearts program will return for the fifth year in Salem on Wednesday to provide lunchtime meals to students during the summer break from school.
The Elk’s Mike Hooe says the program is possible due to a $5,000 National Grant from the Elk’s and generous support from the community to pay for the remainder of the $5,000 to $6,000 cost.
There will be six pickup sites for the sack lunches this year. The Armory Parking Lot on North College Street and Becker’s Wash and Dry on South Broadway are being added to the Salem Community Activity Center, Salem Bryan Bennett Library, the north entrance to Salem Mobile Home Park and the Marion County Housing Authority units on the northeast side.
The program will run on weekdays through August 13th when school resumes. It is designed for those three to 18 years of age.
Hooe says the program is well utilized.
“In the first 3 years of the Elk’s run program, we’ve served over 24,000 lunches, given away over 4000 books and over 450 drug awareness backpacks.”
Hooe feels the book giveaway is an important part of the program.
“Every Friday we give away a free book to every kid who comes to get a free lunch and that book is free for them to keep. The idea behind this program is to help some of these kids who might otherwise not have access to these books especially in the summer, to build their home library.”
Volunteers from different groups prepare the meals for delivery during the 11 am hour.
Hooe is thanking their partners in the program, the Salem Community Activity Center, YMCA, Produce Plus and Shakesphere Oil for providing a storage space for the books. Hooe says they are one of just a few Elks Lodges across the country receiving the National Grant.
