WINSLOW — Even though school let out last week, the grounds at Winslow Elementary School Monday were crowded with kids, as well as parents, day care providers, the Raider and Panther mascots and even firefighters and firetrucks.

The gathering, which also included representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state Department of Education, was the kickoff to Alternative Organizational Structure 92’s free summer meals program open to anyone under the age of 18. Children don’t have to live in the area, attend an AOS 92 school or be in a low-income household to get the food, organizers stressed.

Programs just like it are being held in school districts across the state, sponsored in part by the USDA as a way to help fill the gap for children who may need healthful meals that schools usually provide and also to offer a free alternative for all kids.

“The beauty of having it open to everybody, of course, is that everyone can partake in it,” said Peter Thiboutot, assistant superintendent for AOS 92.

“It’s so important for kids to get nutritious meals and get these activities,” said Jan Kallio, a program specialist in Food and Nutrition Service for the northeast branch of the USDA who was on hand for Monday’s event. Children incur a two-month learning loss during the summer if they don’t continue to eat well and learn, she said.

Gail Lombardi, an education specialist for the state Department of Education, said that there is a program for children who need it during the school year, but during the summer there can be a 12- to 14-week gap.

“Parents lose that access,” she said. Programs like the one in AOS 92 help provide healthy food for children.

Summer lunch programs are open to everyone to make sure they’re accessible for the children who need them, Kallio said, because children may move or travel during the summer.

Thiboutot said that while the need for a free summer lunch program is higher in Waterville, the numbers are increasing in Winslow.

About 95 children from the George J. Mitchell childcare program and about 30 from the Winslow childcare program attended the event, as well as families from the area. The program served 230 children in all. Ten district staff members, some dressed in food costumes to promote healthy eating, handed out burgers, hot dogs, vegetables and fruits to the children.

“I think this is great for them to come in and get fresh fruit and vegetables,” said Barbara Rossignol, the kitchen manager at Winslow Elementary School. Rossignol dished out fruit while dressed as a watermelon.

The Raider and Panther mascots also walked around, high-fiving kids and handing out balloons.

The Winslow Fire and Police Departments let kids look around their vehicles and promoted summer safety. The Fire Department also ran a smokehouse to promote carbon monoxide awareness.

Free lunches and breakfasts will be served in Waterville, Winslow and Vassalboro until Aug. 19.

Regional School Unit 18 is also running a summer meals program at its district schools. Breakfast and lunch at China Primary School and Williams Elementary School in Oakland started Monday and continue through Aug. 5. Meals will be served throughout July and August at Messalonskee Middle and High Schools in Oakland.

Just as with the AOS 92 program, children do not have to attend an RSU 18 school or be a resident of the towns to get the free meal.

Parents can search “summer food rocks” along with their address on the Internet to find the 10 closest meal sites anywhere in the country, Lombardi said. They can also call 211 and an operator will do the search for them.

“I think it’s great,” said AnnaMichelle Worthley, 32, of Winslow. “Whether you don’t have money for food at all or it helps you stretch your budget, it’s a great thing.”

Worthley brought her three daughters to the kick-off event and plans to come back for the free lunches, which she said will help her stay on budget.

“It’s great that the community is concerned with making sure kids get fed,” she said.

Madeline St. Amour – 861-9239

mstamour@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @madelinestamour