Claiborne County children will have the opportunity to get meals during the summer months thanks to a new program.

Children ages 2-18 are eligible to receive meals at no cost through a summer feeding program being offered this year, according to Melany Bunch, school nutrition supervisor for Claiborne County Schools.

The meal will consist of 2 ounces of a meat protein, 2 ounces of a grain, a vegetable, a fruit and milk, she said.

The program will be available to area Vacation Bible Schools, camps and more, she added.

“Anything that has a group of kids, we can feed them at no cost,” she said. “This is a wonderful program and we’re excited to do this.”

According to the Tennessee Department of Education, ”School nutrition programs are an economical way to provide a significant amount of the student’s daily nutritional requirements.”

There will be a designated site in both the north and south sides of the county. A designee for the VBS or camp will be responsible for going to the site and getting the meals.

“The focus is to feed the children in the county,” Bunch said. “We are targeting any opportunity where children will be gathering such as ball camps, practices, cheer camps, dance camps, band camps, etc.”

Bunch encourages people to spread the word about the program and contact her for more information.

If you have questions or for more information about the summer feeding program, contact Bunch at 423-626-3543.