Meet Up and Eat Up summer food program is back at Utica Community Schools

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS — Utica Community Schools will be continuing its Meet Up and Eat Up food program this summer.

All children and teens ages 18 years old and younger are eligible to receive free, healthy meals at selected locations throughout the school district now through Aug. 4. All meals must be eaten on-site.

Persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally or physically disabled that is recognized by a state or local public educational agency also are eligible to take part in the program.

The United States Department of Agriculture funds the program to provide meals while school is out for summer vacation.

UCS Superintendent Robert Monroe commented on the program.

“The health and well-being of our students are consistently top of mind for Utica Community Schools. With a dedication to meeting the needs of all of our students, this program helps ensure that students receive the nutritious meals they need throughout the year,” he said.

UCS will serve meals each week at designated locations and times. No meals will be served July 4. The free meals are for children only who are present; the meals cannot be taken off-site. The schedule of serving sites and summer meal menus for the district’s Meet Up and Eat Up program is posted online at uticak12.nutris lice.com/menu.

Mandy Sosnowski, the district’s director of Food and Nutrition Services, said this program is needed in the community.

“Here at UCS Food and Nutrition Services, we understand that, when school stops, hunger does not. That’s why it’s important we offer summer meal opportunities for our kids. We offer kid-friendly entrées like pizza, hamburgers and popcorn chicken, along with fruits, vegetables and milk,” she said.

The following sites will serve meals outside at the designated areas June 13-July 28 Mondays-Thursdays:

• Autumn Woods under tree near office, 44401 Bridal Lane, Sterling Heights, from 1:15-1:35 p.m.

• Sterling Estates outside the clubhouse in the picnic area, 43475 La Grand Blvd., Sterling Heights, from 12:40-1 p.m.

• Rudgate Manor at the gazebo bus stop 3, 5150 Rudgate Circle, Sterling Heights, from noon to 12:20 p.m.

Breakfasts and lunches will be available Mondays-Fridays at the following sites. Meals must be eaten inside the cafeteria or gym. Meals will run June 20-July 29.

• Alternative Learning Center, 7600 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights. Breakfast will be served 9-9:15 a.m., and lunch will be served 12:15-12:30 p.m.

• Eppler Junior High — door 1, 45461 Brownell St., Utica. Breakfast will be served 9-9:15 a.m., and lunch will be served 12:15-12:30 p.m.

• Jeannette Junior High — door 8, 40400 Gulliver Drive, Sterling Heights. Breakfast will be served 9-9:15 a.m., and lunch will be served 12:15-12:30 p.m.

•Burr Elementary, 41460 Ryan Road, Sterling Heights. Breakfast will be served 8:30-8:45 a.m., and lunch will be served 12-12:15 p.m.

• Harvey Elementary, 41700 Montroy Drive, Sterling Heights. Breakfast will be served 8:30-8:45 a.m., and lunch will be served 12-12:15 p.m.

• Roberts Elementary, 2400 Belle View Drive, Shelby Township. Breakfast will be served 8:30-8:45 a.m., and lunch will be served 12-12:15 p.m.

• Plumbrook Elementary, 39660 Spalding Drive, Sterling Heights. Breakfast will be served 8:30-8:45 a.m., and lunch will be served 12-12:15 p.m.

• Schuchard Elementary, 2900 Holly Drive, Sterling Heights. Breakfast will be served 8:30-8:45 a.m., and lunch will be served 12-12:15 p.m.

• Wiley Elementary, 47240 Shelby Road, Shelby Township. Breakfast will be served 8:30-8:45 a.m., and lunch will be served 12-12:15 p.m.

Meals also will be served for Sterling Heights Parks & Recreation programs through Aug. 4. Meals will be served Mondays through Thursdays at all sites except DeKeyser Elementary School, where they will be served on Fridays. No meals will be served July 4, 28 and 29 and Aug. 2. No lunches will be served July 7, 14 and 26.

• Graebner Elementary, 41875 Saal Road, Sterling Heights. Breakfast will be served 8:45-9 a.m., and lunch will be served 12:30-12:45 p.m.

• Oakbrook Elementary, 12060 Greenway Drive, Sterling Heights. Breakfast will be served 8:45-9 a.m., and lunch will be served 12:30-12:45 p.m.

• Browning Elementary, 12400 19 Mile Road, Sterling Heights. Breakfast will be served 8:45-9 a.m., and lunch will be served 12:30-12:45 p.m.

• DeKeyser Elementary, 39600 Atkinson Drive, Sterling Heights. Breakfast will be served 8:45-9 a.m., and lunch will be served 12:30-12:45 p.m.