The Community Action Organization (CAO) began its Summer Food Service Program on Monday at 21 public locations throughout Scioto County. Continuing through Aug. 5, the program provides free breakfast and/or lunch for all children ages 18 and under.

There are nine CAO Food Service locations in Portsmouth, three in New Boston, two in Sciotoville, two in Lucasville, two in McDermott, one in West Portsmouth, one in Wheelersburg and one in South Webster. There are also four private locations not open to the public. Every meal meets USDA nutritional guidelines.

“We really appreciate Community Action and their efforts to get funding and provide these kind of programs. They really help our kids,” said Clarence Parker of the 14th Street Community Center in Portsmouth.

He said about 68 kids, ages 5-12, participate in the program at the 14th Street Community Center.

Food is served Monday through Friday at most sites (check the schedule for individual breakfast and lunch times) — except in McDermott, where breakfast at Northwest Elementary and lunch at Northwest Public Library are not served on Fridays. To help feed kids over the weekend, kids on Friday are given a “backpack” bag of food to take home with them.

“On the last day the site is open, whether it’s a Thursday or Friday, the children who are in attendance get a packed backpack to take home for weekend meals, that way they get at least a lunch on the weekends as well,” said LouAnn Valentine of CAO.

The food sent home each week are non-perishable lunch items only, such as Vienna Sausages and cheese sticks.

She said the overall backpack program will serve about 600 kids every week. The Food Service Program is federally funded by the USDA and distributed by the State of Ohio. The summer food program began in 1991 and has helped more than 30,000 children, and the backpack take-home program is new this year. There are no eligibility or income requirements for children to participate. Simply show up at any of the sites and they’ll get a free meal.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.

CAO Summer Food Service Program Sites

14th Street Community Center

1220 14th St., Portsmouth, 9-9:30 a.m.—

Center Street United Methodist Church

173 Center St., Lucasville—12:30-1 p.m.

Clay Township Community Pool

Elm St., Portsmouth—1-1:30 p.m.

Glenwood High School

522 Glenwood Ave., New Boston, 7:30-8 a.m.11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Highland Head Start School

1511 Hutchins St., Portsmouth, 8-9 a.m.11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Lett Terrace

21228 State Route 73, W. Portsmouth—1 -1:30 p.m.

McKinley Pool

1521 Findlay St., Portsmouth—1:30-2 p.m.

Miller Manor

1130 Kinker Dr., Wheelersburg 9-9:30 a.m.12:30-1 p.m.

New Boston Manor

3727 Rhodes Ave., New Boston —11:15-11:45 a.m.

Northwest Elementary

4738 Henley Deemer Rd., McDermott 8-8:30

(M-Thurs)12:30-1 p.m.

Northwest Public Library

13056 State Route 73, McDermott —11:30 a.m.-noon

(M-Thurs.)

Oak Street

824 Harrisonville Ave., New Boston 7:45-8:15 a.m.

12-12:30 p.m.

Outreach

1205 Waller St., Portsmouth —12:30-1 p.m.

Portsmouth Elementary School

514 Union St., Portsmouth 8:30-9 a.m.11:30 a.m.-noon

Potter’s House Ministries

5409 Winchester Ave., Sciotoville —noon-12:30 p.m.

Sciotodale Free Will Baptist Church

1866 Shela Blvd., Portsmouth —12:15 p.m.-12:45 p.m.

Sciotoville Elementary Academy

5523 Third St., Sciotoville 8-8:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.-noon

Scudder School Building

411 Court St., Portsmouth 7:45-8:1511:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

South Webster Elementary

10529 A Main St., South Webster 7:15-7:45 a.m.

11-11:30 a.m.

Wayne Hills

1908 Wayne Ave., Portsmouth 9:30-10 a.m.1-1:30 p.m.

Welcome Home Christian Fellowship

100 73A US Rt., Lucasville —12:30-1 p.m.