MOUNT VERNON — School is out for the summer, but children in many areas of the valley can still depend on balanced meals in the coming months.

Schools, churches and other providers can get money from the federal government to implement summer feeding programs for children in low-income areas.

There are eight feeding sites throughout the county, including one at a church, another at a migrant camp and at six public schools from Mount Vernon to Concrete.

While she has worked in the district for 11 years, this summer will be Judy Maldonado’s first serving breakfast and lunch for the program at Mount Vernon High School. This past school year, she saw hungry children every day as a cook at Centennial Elementary School.

“You can really see it on Friday,” she said. “They try to get as much food as they can so they can make it through the weekend. ... I tell them to take it, and they do. It breaks your heart.”

Last summer, Mount Vernon School District served about 200 meals per day last summer, said David Connors, food services supervisor. Any child, age 18 and under, can come to any of the sites for a free meal, regardless of his or her family’s economic status.

While the food is free, transportation isn’t, said Donna Parsons, the state’s school and summer nutrition program supervisor. She said the lack of transportation drives down the number of students the programs can serve.

“If a site isn’t across the street, especially for the small kids, it’s hard to get to,” Parsons said.

Last summer, she said, participation dropped as gas prices soared. While she said it’s hard to predict how many students will eat meals this summer, she thinks the demand will be higher due to the worsened economy.

Parsons said 147 organizations sponsor 671 feeding sites throughout the state.  The feeding program is paid for with federal dollars, she said, but the number of school feeding sites is lower this year because fewer schools are hosting summer school due to district budget cuts.

Still, other community groups are picking up the slack, she said.

“I’m not sure if it’s going to even out,” Parsons said. “I do believe the need is higher. I don’t know if the kids who need to get there will be able to.”

Nationwide, the program serves about 14 percent of low-income students, though students of any economic background can get a free meal, Parsons said.

Amy Grizzel, food services director for the Sedro-Woolley School District, said her program served 80 to 100 students per day at Central Elementary last summer.

“Obviously we’re in tough times,” Grizzel said. “Right now, we hope this program will be a help to families that need it.

Summer Food Program for Children locations

Burlington
The Food Connection, June 29 - Aug. 21
Youth Migrant Project, 17400 Cook Road, Lunch 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Afternoon snack 2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Concrete
Concrete School District: July 6 - Aug. 6, Monday through Thursday
Concrete High School, 7830 S. Superior Ave., Breakfast 7:30 a.m. - 8 a.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Mount Vernon
Bethany Covenant Church: June 29 - July 31
Children of the Valley program, 1318 S. 18th St.

Mount Vernon School District: June 24 - July 31, Monday through Friday
Mount Vernon High School, 314 N. Ninth St., Breakfast 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Little Mountain Elementary, 1514 S. La Venture Road, Breakfast 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Sedro-Woolley
Sedro-Woolley School District: June 29 - Aug. 21, Monday through Friday
Central Elementary School, 601 Talcott St., Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Upper Skagit Indian Tribe: July 7 - Aug. 6, Tuesday through Thursday
Upper Skagit Tribal Gym, 25708 Coyote Drive, Breakfast 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., Lunch 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

For information about food resources in your area, call 1-888-4FOODWA (888-436-6392).