A total of 5,572 nutritious lunches were served this summer to area youth through Cuyuna Lakes Lunch Bunch, a free summer lunch program organized by area churches and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.

Last year, a total of 6,164 lunches were served through the program. That amount compares to 4,861 lunches in summer 2017; 4,650 in 2016; 3,820 in 2015; and 900 in 2014, the program’s first year.

The lunches were served by volunteers on weekdays from June 3 through August 30 in Crosby, Deerwood and Ironton. They were prepared and donated by members of  Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby; Cascade Methodist Church and Salem Lutheran Church, both in Deerwood; St. Joseph Chapter of St. Vincent de Paul in Crosby and Deerwood; and employees of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.

The Cuyuna Lakes Lunch Bunch’s goal is to provide meals for students who normally receive free or reduced lunches through school programs.  Fifty-seven percent of Crosby area school students receive free lunches.

For more information or to contribute to the Lunch Bunch, contact Ellen Brandt at St. Vincent de Paul, eltrbrandt@gmail.com.

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