Lunch Bunch Served 6,800 Free Lunches to Local Kids This Summer

The Cuyuna Lakes Lunch Bunch served 6,800 free lunches to children in Crosby, Deerwood, and Ironton this summer—910 more than the 5,890 served in 2025.

From June 1 through September 2, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC), area churches, and more than 60 volunteers worked together to provide nutritious weekday meals while school was out. The program completed its 13th year of supporting local children and families.

Helping Fill the Summer Meal Gap

Lunch Bunch was created to help students who rely on free or reduced-price lunches during the school year. When school meal programs pause for summer, families can face added challenges putting food on the table.

By offering free weekday lunches, Lunch Bunch helps children stay nourished throughout the summer. The program also supports priorities identified in CRMC’s Community Health Needs Assessment by helping children access nutritious food.

More Than 60 Volunteers Supported Local Children

CRMC staff joined volunteers from the following community partners to make the program possible:

• Immanuel Lutheran Church
• St. Joseph Chapter of St. Vincent de Paul in Crosby
• Cascade Methodist Church
• Salem Lutheran Church in Deerwood

More than 60 volunteers gave their time to make sandwiches, pack lunches, and distribute meals throughout the community.

“I am grateful to CRMC for supporting this effort and to our Lunch Bunch partners and volunteers who work so hard each summer to make this community food service effort happen so that we can help provide at least one meal a day to the kids of the Cuyuna Range,” said Todd Bymark, who leads the Lunch Bunch initiative at CRMC.

CRMC thanks every volunteer and community partner who helped serve 6,800 lunches this summer.

Continuing to Support Local Families

In addition to Lunch Bunch, CRMC distributed meals from the Outreach Program, expanding access to nutritious food for local families in need.

Community members interested in supporting Lunch Bunch through volunteering or donations can contact Ellen Brandt with St. Vincent de Paul at eltrbrandt@gmail.com.