Ironwood Area School's continues lunch program at Depot Park

By BRYAN HELLIOS

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Ironwood - More than 100 children enjoyed a Wednesday lunch at Depot Park curtesy of Ironwood Area School's Meet up and Eat Up program.

The program provides free meals at the park from 11 a.m., Monday through Friday, to those under the age of 18.

Lori Rye, a cook along with her assistant Lori Grbavcich, aka, "Thelma and Louise," served chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and choice of milk while offering unlimited helpings of fruits and vegetables.

"It's been awesome for the kids," Rye said. "We've been serving over 100 a day."

She said a big part of the reason for the program is to make sure every child has a chance to eat.

"If kids aren't getting it at home," she said. "They can get it here."

Mary Kusz, food services director for the school district, said every child from anywhere is welcome.

"It's a government funded program that we're part of and there's really no requirements," she said.

Kusz said they try to offer choices to the kids like pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, walking tacos, chicken nuggets and subs along with an assortment of side dishes.

She said another positive aspect of the event is the partnerships with local organizations which provide activities for participants to do.

"The whole community kinda pitches in and does different projects for the kids daily," she said. "It's a great thing for kids."

Six year old Ryker Denny's said his favorite meal is macaroni and cheese, but said it was a "little chewy today."

He prefers white milk over chocolate because when chocolate milk is shaken, he said "it tastes weird."

Denny said he has a few concerns about going into second grade because there will be more work

"I like playing at school and that's it," he said as he drank his milk and ran off to join his friends.

Tarah Pulkas, mother of five, said her kids like coming to park because they can see all their friends, and the "food is good."

She said the meals saves time and money, plus gives the kids a chance to make new friends.

"They get to play with other kids and give us a break," she said.

The program is scheduled to run until Aug. 16.