By Elysse James
As the school year draws to an end, Capistrano Unified is preparing for its annual Summer Lunch Program providing meals to local children ages 18 and under.
During the coronavirus pandemic response, the district distributed over 300,000 free meals — with five breakfasts and five lunches weekly — over a total of 12 weeks.
The Summer Meal Program begins Monday, June 15 and runs through Friday, July 31 at three school sites:
- San Juan Elementary, 31642 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano
- Las Palmas Elementary, 1101 Calle Puente, San Clemente
- Marco Forster Middle School, 25601 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano
Meal pick-up is held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Children age 18 and under will receive two breakfasts and two lunches on Mondays and three breakfasts and three lunches on Wednesdays.
If children are not present for meal pick-up, families must provide documentation (such as a report card, school enrollment letter, attendance record, student ID, or birth certificate).
To pick up meals, people stay in their vehicles and line up at the participating school sites. As the vehicles approach the curb, signal how many meals are needed by holding up that number of fingers. Staff then place meals on a cart next to the curb, and step away at least 6 feet before the person gets out of their vehicle to collect the food. Carts are sanitized between every pickup. Families are also invited to walk to up collect meals.
Visit the Food & Nutrition Services Department website or call 949-234-9501 for more information.
