Tamara Richardson, Coordinator of Action Ministries in Newton County, announced that between June 1 and July 28, the Smart Lunch, Smart Kid program served more than 11,000 lunches.

“By the end of the summer, we were serving over 300 children each day, five days a week at six different sites,” Richardson said.

Richardson said children were served lunch in six locations – Covington Mills United Methodist Church, Allen Memorial United Methodist Church in Oxford, at the pavilion at Porterdale’s B. C. Crowell Park, Eagle Point Trailer Park, Jamestown Community and 35 children at the Sun Suites Extended Stay Hotel, now Home Bound Studios.

Over the summer, 125 or more volunteers made lunches for distribution in different neighborhoods. Three hundred lunches were made each weekday.

“Action Ministries was honored to serve alongside so many willing churches, corporate partners, civic organizations and individuals who were willing to roll up their sleeves and help in serving almost 11,000 lunches to Newton County children this summer,” Richardson said. Our Smart Lunch Smart Kid program served many children who otherwise would have experienced hunger during the long summer months.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our over 35 partners and sponsors and our 125-plus volunteers who worked so hard in the hot summer heat!” she said.

Partners and sponsors included Kelly Products, the Covington Lion’s Club, Newton Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group, Oxford College, Eagle Point Trailer Park, Oxford Lions Club, SRG Global, the Porterdale Police Academy Alumni Group, Newton Federal Bank, Wagner Service Solutions, Covington Police Who Care Fund, Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, Element Funding, Pinnacle Realty, Georgia State University, the Gwinnett, Rockdale and Newton Health departments, Covington Academy, Covington News staff and Jersey Mike’s.

Individuals included Billie Kizer, Steve Brown, Tina and Craig Ulmer and Jerry and Lee Aldridge. United Methodist, Baptist and other churches in the community were also among the sponsors and volunteers.

Smart Lunch, Smart Kid serves the population of students who receive free or reduced lunches during the school year, but may go hungry during the summer months. Sponsors help pay for food items for lunches, and volunteers pack lunch bags.