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Children who aren't hungry and have a healthy diet learn better and behave better, according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

That is why Arkansas City Public Schools are participating in the Summer Food Service Program this year. The program will help ensure children get the healthy meals they need to not only function but to grow and excel during the summer months.

Breakfast and lunch will be served free of charge to children from one to 18 years of age from June 4 to July 19. Parents can simply take their children to one of the open sites in town where the meals will be served. For Ark City, those sites are: Roosevelt Elementary, Ark City Middle School and Jefferson Elementary. Breakfast will be served from 8:30- 9 a.m. and lunch from 12-12:30 p.m.. Another site, Lincoln/PALS, will be serving breakfast from 8-8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30- 12:30 p.m..

Chartwells, the school food service provider during the regular school year, will also be serving the meals this summer. Chartwells offers quality foods and menus that follow the Recommended Dietary Allowances for calcium, calories, protein, iron and vitamins A and D.

USD 470 will be reimbursed by the USDA so the funding will not come out of the district's general fund. This is the first year for USD 470 to participate in the program.

"We hope area daycare providers will also take advantage of the Summer Food Service Program and join us at one of our sites," said J.K. Campbell, an assistant superintendent.

For more information, please contact the USD 470 District Office at 2545 Greenway, 441-2000.