Summer Meals - The Lunch Box

Since the summer of 2016, Painesville City Local Schools’ Nutrition Services Department has participated in a Mobile Summer Food Service Program: a food truck also known as “The Lunch Box” that provides meals to all children ages 18 and under at no cost.

Lunch Box 2024 - Summer Lunch Program

The award-winning Lunch Box operates from June 3, 2024, to August 2, 2024. During the times listed below, children ages 18 and under are eligible to receive one lunch meal per day. In the event of inclement weather, meals are served in the Harvey High School cafeteria. Children must eat lunch at the site where the meal is served. Food cannot be taken off-site.

Lunches are provided Monday through Friday at the sites and times as follows, with the exception of June 19th and July 4th and 5th:

Harvey High School	11:00-11:15AM
Chestnut Elementary (back lot)	11:30-11:45 AM
Maple Elementary	12:00-12:15 PM
Elm Street Elementary (back lot)	12:30-12:45 PM
State Street Park	1:00-1:15 PM

The Lunch Box Menu

A lunch meal consists of a grain, protein, (the grain and the protein are typically referred to as an entree), fruit, veggies and milk. At a minimum, children must select at least 3 items and one of those items must be a serving of fruit or vegetable. The menu is available under any of the school menu sites for PCLS. Click the graphic below to be taken directly to that site. You can also download the My School Menus app for easier access.

Summer Nutrition Services programs ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. This summer, USDA plans to serve more than 200 million free meals to children 18 years and under at approved sites. You can find more information here: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/mobile-feeding

SUN Bucks/Summer EBT

What is Summer EBT?

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT or SUN Bucks) is new in summer 2024. Summer EBT/SUN Bucks provides grocery benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer. Summer EBT benefits will either be loaded to a household’s Ohio Direction Card, or a benefit card will be sent in the mail to each eligible child.  

Families can use the money to buy food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers. Families will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child and participation will not affect children or families’ immigration status.

For information on SUN Bucks, please visit https://sebt.ohio.gov/about/

The Lunch Box Awards

	2023 Turnip the Beet! - Gold Beet Award Recipient
	For more information - USDA Turnip the Beet Recognition

	2023 Farm to Summer - Silver Beet Award Recipient
	For more information - ODEW Farm to Summer

	2016 Children's Hunger Alliance - Summer Program of the Year
	As the Program of the Year winner, Kelly Minnick, Director of Nutrition Services, and guests were invited to join the 22nd Annual Menu of Hope luncheon in February of 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. Kelly Minnick was recognized for the many great things and the work she has done. The Hunger Alliance was thrilled to be able to recognize her tremendous efforts to help children in Painesville City.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) at http://ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html. Meals are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.