TEEG Provides Free Lunch
Simple, Kid-Friendly, Nutritious Summer Meals Offered to Children 18 years and under

Thompson, CT (June 20, 2011) - The Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group TEEG,Thompson, CT will be once again offering its Summer Food Service Program to youths in the community 18 years of age and younger.

Sponsored by USDA and End Hunger CT, TEEG’s summer food site provides valuable nutrition and a fun place for children in the community to spend time during the summer. TEEG has offered the Summer Lunch Program for the past six years, serving over 4,000 meals last year alone. “This year we anticipate even more,” says Diane Farquharson, TEEG Early Childhood Coordinator who manages the Summer Lunch program.

For several years, TEEG has collaborated with local organizations such as Thompson Recreation and the Thompson Public Library to provide after lunch activities such as arts and craft, recreational games as well as a literacy program. This year the agency has made an even greater effort to increase participation by expanding activity offerings. “We created a calendar of events with children of all ages in mind,” says Farquharson, “We’ve have also added a family component to promote parent involvement and provide a free opportunity for them to engage in a meaningful experience with their children.”

Unlike many summer food programs that leave a gap between summer meal availability and the school calendar, TEEG runs a 10-week program so that children in their community do not miss a day of nutrition. Lunch will be served Monday through Friday at 12:00 noon beginning June 20th and will be available every day until Friday August 26th (with the exception of July 4, 2011). “Kids really look forward to this, “says Farquharson, “I have kids asking me weeks ahead of time when the program is going to start.”

This summer year’s lunch will be served outdoors, picnic style from the baseball field concession stand adjacent to the River Mill Village Community Complex in North Grosvenordale. The menu will vary from week to week and will include a variety of nutritious yet kid-friendly menu items including chef’s and chicken Caesar salads, fresh fruits and vegetables. Food donations from community members are greatly appreciated, see below for a list of needed items.

No registration, income requirements or sign up is necessary.  Adult meals are available for $3 (limited supply). For more information or to donate food items call Diane at TEEG at 860-923-3458.

Items Needed

• Peanut Butter
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Salad Dressings
• Jelly
• 100% Juice Boxes
• Maple Syrup
• Fruit Cups
• Applesauce
• Jell-O
• Granola bars
• Cereal bars
• Pudding snacks
• Goldfish crackers
• Crackers
• Cookies
• Pretzels
  -------------------------------------------
  
• Zip-lock Sandwich bags
• Plastic food gloves
• Crayons
• Bubbles
• Jump ropes
• New (for safety reasons) Field Equipment
• Bug Spray
• Sun Screen

About TEEG: TEEG is a community-centered nonprofit agency human services whose mission is to empower individuals, strengthen families, engage the community, and connect resources. TEEG works with several Northeast communities including Thompson, Woodstock and Pomfret with programs in community services, early education, prevention, senior outreach, and volunteer opportunities. Last year, TEEG provided services to more than 2,000 residents of Northeast Connecticut through more than 33,000 individual outreach efforts. For more information about TEEG, its programs and services, visit www.teegonline.org, follow us on Twitter @TEEGonline and Facebook, or call 860-923-3458.