MIDDLEBURY, Ind. -- In recognition of World Hunger Day on Wednesday, May 28, the Middlebury Food Pantry is announcing the launch of the Middlebury Summer Feeding Program for Children.

The program will run from May 30 through August 8. The hours of operation are on Thursdays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Fridays from noon through 4 p.m. The program offers free lunches to anyone 18 or younger, in accordance with federal guidelines. 

This program ensures that local children have access to nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session. 

The Pantry will be partnering with Cultivate Food Rescue, the Township of Middlebury, Forks County Line Store, and other donors will also distribute a limited number of free food bags each Thursday and Friday. These will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with one visit allowed per family per week.

Each bag contains:

• Six frozen meals
• One package each of cheese slices and lunch meat (per child)
• A Forks County Line Store voucher good for one gallon of milk, one dozen eggs, and one loaf of bread
• Fresh fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, breakfast foods, juice, and kid-friendly snacks
• There is no cost to participate, and residency in Middlebury is not required.