Nutritious lunches will be available to area youth again this summer through the Cuyuna Lakes Lunch Bunch, a free program organized by area churches and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.

The lunches are available on weekdays starting Monday, June 4, through Friday, August 31, except Wednesday, July 4.  They will be at the following locations:  11:15 to 11:35 a.m. in Deerwood Veteran’s Park across from the American Legion; 11:45 a.m.-12:05 p.m. at Crosby Food Shelf, 302 Cross Ave.; and 12:15 to 12:35 p.m. in Ironton at Grandpa’s Park behind Wells Fargo.

The Cuyuna Lakes Lunch Bunch’s goal is to provide meals for students who normally receive free or reduced lunches through school programs. The lunches are prepared and distributed by several local volunteers including 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.

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

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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