By DEBORAH DANIELS

PDT Staff Writer

Community Action Organization of Scioto County has launched its free Summer Lunch Program at various sites around the county.

Dave Groff of CAO said the program is funded through the Ohio Feeds Grant in combination with the Summer Food Program, to provide free lunches for kids in the community, 18 and younger, Monday through Friday.

“We’re also trying to put some recreation into it, some physical activity and lessons about nutrition,” Groff said.

To help get the word out, Monday afternoon the program was under way at Mound Park with an inflatable for kids. Ben Allen of CAO said the inflatable will be featured at least once every week throughout the summer program at Mound Park, until Aug. 15.

Allison Kalb of PROUD, Inc. (Portsmouth Residents Organized for Urban Development), said the group has loaned CAO the building in Mound Park to use for games and meals.

“After the kids eat, they’re welcome to stay and play games, or there are tennis racquets if they want to go down on the tennis courts and play,” she said. “There’s also outdoor game equipment and indoor board games.”

Kalb said she would love to have a big-screen TV to show a couple of movies this summer, but right now funding for a TV is not available. Donations are always welcome, she said.

Following the CAO lunch, Kalb said there is supervision Monday through Friday from noon to 6:30 p.m. for the kids to play games.

“Community Action has provided a college worker and four high school workers to help,” she said. “It’s a place for the kids to come and hang out and have a little bit of fun.”

For more information, call Kalb at (740) 354-5753 or call the mayor’s office at (740) 354-8807.

DEBORAH DANIELS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 234.