Despite a rocky start Monday, a community effort is underway to provide four lunches a week for children 18 and younger through July 27 in the town of California.
The Summer Food Service Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
It has been at least three summers since a food program for children has been available in California, said Stefanie Thompson, community services specialist with Central Missouri Community Action.
Only 12 children from California Kids Day Care attended the opening day Monday, eating tacos, fruit and milk.
But once word of the program spreads, organizers are optimistic the gymnasium at First Baptist Church will be full 11:30 a.m.-noon Monday-Thursday.
The community action agency facilitated connecting the funding and services with the local church willing to host the program.
"We learned the state has the money, they just need sites and volunteers," Thompson said. The agency "doesn't have the manpower to do it."
First Baptist decided "if there's a need in our community that we could meet with open doors, we can do that," Casey Malley, associate pastor of youth and family, said.
The meals are prepared and delivered by Open Door Service Center, a "cooperative ministry of the SedaliaPettis County churches engaging in charitable welfare activities of every kind and nature," according to its website.
Summer meal programs also are being served in Clarksburg and High Point this summer. The Clarksburg program is served 11-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday at Grace Living Center.
"(Children) just have to show up; that's all they have to do to eat," Thompson said.
Because the California community already qualified for the food program, Thompson said, vacation Bible schools and other programs may be eligible for reimbursement for breakfast, lunch, supper or snacks. Additional daily serving locations may be added this summer.
Meals must meet specific requirements, such as milk, vegetable, fruit or juice, grains or breads, and protein.
The rural site reimbursement rates are $2.18 for breakfast, $3.83 for lunch or supper and 90 cents for supplements.
The California area has an "extremely high percent" of children who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, said Jamia Cole, family development specialist with Central Missouri Community Action.
"There's a huge need," Cole said. "This will be one meal, for sure, they know they will get."