Free summer food program kicks off at city rec. centers
COTA to provide bus passes to the rec centers

Thursday, June 17, 2004

By SUE HAGAN
ThisWeek Staff Writer

By Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeek

Seven-year-old Laron Senior shares an apple with the COTA puppet Lippy during the kick off celebration for the summer food program at Barnett Recreation Center June 14.


Monica Stoudmire said she was glad she walked into Barnett Recreation Center on the East Side Monday morning. New to Columbus, she had planned just to check out activities for her children.

But she discovered her kids could eat lunch for free and get transportation from near their home compliments of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA).

While her children, Christian Herring, 11, and Lay'Quilla Parker, 13, sat through "bus rider training," their mom said she anticipates using the program regularly.

"I hope so. I never knew they had anything like this," she said.

Columbus kids will have easier access to free breakfasts and lunches this summer, thanks to a partnership that could provide up to 800,000 free meals at 173 locations, and free bus rides to eight of the city's recreation center sites.

The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, COTA, the Children's Hunger Alliance, the Ohio Department of Education and Columbus Public Schools kicked off the summer food program at Barnett.

About 60 kids petted zoo animals, talked to costumed mascots from Max & Erma's restaurant and the Columbus Clippers, and enjoyed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apples and chocolate milk.

"We are trying to ensure that nutrition doesn't end when the school year ends," said Charlie Kozlesky, senior vice president of community engagement for the Children's Hunger Alliance.

He said that while 471,000 Ohio children eat free and reduced-price lunches and 174,000 participate in the breakfast program during the school year, the number of kids dwindles to 56,000 in the summer.

The program is expanding this year in Columbus, with 50 new meal sites and the COTA partnership.

COTA is providing tokens for free rides to eight city recreation centers that are also food program sites. They are:

  • South Side: Barack Rec Center, 580 Woodrow Ave., 645-3610; and Indian Mound Rec Center, 3901 Parsons Ave., 645-3224.

  • East Side: Barnett Rec Center, 1184 Barnett Road, 645-3065; and Far East Rec Center, 1826 Lattimer Dr., 645-3159.

  • North Side: Thompson Rec Center, 1189 Dennison Ave., 645-3082; and Whetstone Rec Center, 3923 N. High St., 645-3217.

  • West Side: Glenwood Rec Center, 1925 W. Broad St., 645-3282; and Westgate Rec Center, 455 W. Westgate Ave., 645-3264.

    "We attempted to locate centers that are readily served by our routes so that transportation for our children and parents is convenient," said Cheryl Grice, COTA vice president of business development.

    She said COTA chose to participate in a pilot program last year, and provided transportation to four rec centers; 127 free rides were given in the pilot, she said.

    "With our expansion to four more centers, we hope to have more participation this year," she said.

    "The biggest barrier to kids receiving free lunch is transportation," she added.

    Children ages 1 to 18 are eligible for the COTA program; to participate, parents should contact the rec centers, or call COTA at 228-1776.

    Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult on the bus.

    For information on other summer food program locations, call 645-3642.



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