PA district finds success with new dinner program

Wilkinsburg, Pa. — Damere Hamilton walks a half-mile from Kelly Elementary on Kelly Avenue to the newly merged Wilkinsburg Middle and High School on Wallace Avenue for an early dinner almost every day.

Every once in a while, the district will serve the 7-year-old’s favorite: turkey corn dogs in a whole grain wrapping.

The dinner program, free to all children 18 and under who live in the district, started in September. In a little over a month, the district has served an average of 100 students per day and has had to extend dinner hours until 5 p.m. to accommodate the increased number of participating students.

Although the district publicized the program on monthly lunch menus sent home with students, as well as distributed fliers throughout the community, most students have learned of the program through word of mouth, food service director Tyrone Bennett said.

“We don’t want them to have to go to McDonald’s or the next place down the street to get a full meal,” Mr. Bennett said. “You want them to have a complete meal here where they know they’re safe inside their school, and it’s completely free.”

The district qualifies for full reimbursements from federal funds funneled through the state for the three hot meals provided to students Mondays through Fridays, including breakfast, because more than half of its student population qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch.

Although the district may spend about $1.25 per meal, it receives roughly $3.16 per meal from the state.

For a meal to qualify for state reimbursement, it must have at least three of five nutritional components: grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables and milk. With the continued growth of the program, the district hopes to break even in its overall food service budget, which includes facilities and staff, business manager Phil Martell said. The