Economic Opportunity

The Pettis County Salvation Army has teamed up with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) to provide free nutritious lunches for children though the Summer Food Program. Of the 7,038 students enrolled in Pettis county schools 4,241 qualify for free and reduced lunches, which means 60% of the school aged children in Pettis County have a need for access to food during the summer months.

The Pettis County Salvation Army’s take on the Summer Food Program is unlike anything else in the state of Missouri, they prepare and the take the meals to the children! That’s right, The Salvation Army VISTA Volunteer Coordinator coordinates all the volunteers needed during the summer months to deliver the lunches to places like public housing, trailer parks, churches, the local public parks, and anywhere else children can gather at a public setting, in all the towns of Pettis County. Many of 2012 volunteers are returning to serve more lunches in 2013. Lunches are served every weekday and on Friday we also deliver the weekend Buddy Packs, which contain child friendly food, snacks, and juice to help provide food for the weekend. After lunch, there is an Activity Director that spends time at the site to play games and read to the kids. In 2012, The Salvation Army served 29,000 lunches to the children all over Pettis County Missouri, for 2013 they are currently looking at serving 35,000 lunches!

The pictures were taken by Mary Kindle, Community Awareness and Outreach VISTA 2011-2012, during the 2012 Summer Food Program.