Lunch Bunch serves 4,601 meals to youth

A total of 4,601 nutritious lunches were served this summer to area youth through Cuyuna Lakes Lunch Bunch, a free summer lunch program organized by area churches and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.

Last year, a total of 3,521 lunches were served through the program. That amount compares to 4,142 lunches in summer 2020; 6,164 in 2019; 5,572 in 2018; 4,861 in 2017; 4,650 in 2016; 3,820 in 2015; and 900 in 2014, the program’s first year.

The lunches were served by volunteers on weekdays from June through August in Crosby, Deerwood, and Ironton. They were prepared and donated by members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby; Cascade Methodist Church and Salem Lutheran Church, both in Deerwood; St. Joseph Chapter of St. Vincent de Paul in Crosby and Deerwood; and employees of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.

The Cuyuna Lakes Lunch Bunch’s goal is to provide meals for students who normally receive free or reduced lunches through school programs.  Nearly 60% of Crosby area school students receive free lunches.

For more information or to contribute to the Lunch Bunch, contact Ellen Brandt at St. Vincent de Paul, eltrbrandt@gmail.com.