Lansingburgh B&G Club's free summer lunches
TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Summertime isn't a happy time for every child. Vacation equals no school-provided meals for children in need. The Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club is one of the many capital region institutions trying to change that.
“We see kids that come here wondering in the morning, when am I going to eat for lunch? And to be able to have that available and that reassurance to tell them hey you didn't bring a lunch today, that's okay” said Jimmy Bulmer, now Executive Director for the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club.
Tammy Dushane is on the front lines of making sure no child is left behind at the lunch table. The club's school-age childcare coordinator says there's been an uptick in demand since COVID.
“Since we've been able to reopen and get the kids back in here you definitely had an increase of kids coming in the more need for food" Dushane explained.
Kids at the club have a choice between lunch options like ham sandwiches, applesauce, and frozen juice pouches. Anything they don't want gets put into a crate and goes to other kids who may still be hungry.
Dushane says the kids are opinionated about what they like! Luckily...“The program has actually changed in the last couple of years with new vendors coming in. So the choices of food have gotten better and working with the county. They're very easy to work with, and they want to know what our opinions are as to how to change the program," said Dushane.
Back to demand. The program currently serves 130 children with a waiting list of about 30. The problem? Capacity restrictions.
“What would allow us to serve more kids is renovating certain rooms in our lower level that have currently gone unoccupied,” said Bulmer.
Bulmer showed NEWS10's Zion Decoteau the spare rooms where he aims to add numerous amenities like an updated computer lab. For the former club student, this is a mission close to Bulmer’s heart.
“Everybody needs those basic necessities. Everybody needs fuel in their bodies to be able to learn and grow. So for families that may not have another option, we're really happy to be that stable place in the community that they can come to when they're in need," said Bulmer.
The Summer meals program runs through the end of the club’s summer camp, which is August 23rd.