This summer, Picayune School District will once again provide free, hot lunches at Nicholson Elementary and South Side Elementary for children up to 18 years old.

Debra Byrd, food service director for Picayune School District, said the Summer Food Program, which is federally funded, will take place June 2-July 18. No lunches will be sold on July 4 due to the holiday.

Byrd said adults can purchase a lunch for $3.25

Lunches served through the food program meet the same nutritional guidelines as lunches served during the school year, Byrd said.

This year, the Picayune School District will once again provide free sack lunches to churches for their Vacation Bible School.

Byrd said instead of the box lunches the school delivered to the churches last year, the district will pack lunches from their own food supply.

Any church interested in participating must call 601-798-6711 by May 23.

Churches receiving sack lunches from the school district will have their facilities inspected by the Mississippi Department of Health to see if the church meets cleanliness standards, Byrd said.

Byrd said the program allows children to continue receiving nutritious meals during the summer.

Serving times are 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.