Children accustomed to midday lunches, similar to those they’re served in school, will have the opportunity to receive free meals as part of an eight-week initiative known as the 2012 Summer Food Service Program for Children.

The annual program, which kicks off this month and is a joint-effort by the Selma City School System and the city of Selma, will provide all children 18-and-under with bag lunches at 23 locations citywide. The lunches will contain a sandwich, piece of fruit, a milk and a juice, Summer Food Program administrator Krystal Dozier said.

“The program really provides a meal for some kids if their parents are working and cannot provide that midday snack,” Dozier said. “Now they can walk to one of the local sites near where they live. A lot of kids are used to receiving lunch about midday during the school day, so it’s a great opportunity for us to extend child nutrition to the kids in our community.”

During each site’s period of operation, usually 11 a.m. to noon, they see a combined 1,200 children each day, Dozier said.

A summer enrichment program will take place at various locations throughout the nearly two months the program runs, Dozier said, noting that children do not need to participate in the program to receive a free lunch.

“It’s very rewarding to see the children enjoying the meal, as well as the fun and fellowship with children their age during the summer months,” she said. “The kids are receiving educational experiences as well as nutrition.”

Dozier said no RSVP is required by program participants, but all food must be consumed onsite.

For a complete list of locations and hours of operation for 2012 Summer Food Service Program for Children sites, please visit selmatimesjournal.com.