Amy Marburger, food and nutrition manager with CrossNet Ministries, is preparing to feed about 150 ELANCO School District students each weekday over the summer. Marburger is undaunted by the large number of lunches the organization will provide, but she is concerned about having an adequate number of individual cereal cups to include. "I don't have enough," she stated. "I can't keep them in stock."

In addition to cereal cups, Marburger will also need more than 75 volunteers and staff members to pack and deliver lunches and to pick up donations. Volunteer hours will vary. Those who wish to volunteer may visit https://signup.com/go/AALkeLo.

This year, the program, which will provide lunches for Monday through Wednesday on Mondays and lunches for Thursday and Friday on Thursdays, will begin on Monday, June 13, and end on Friday, Aug. 26. The lunch delivery for Thursday, Aug. 25, will include the Aug. 26 meal. The schedule will vary twice over the summer. "We are closed on Monday, June 20, in honor of Juneteenth, so we will distribute on Tuesday, June 21, that week," noted Marburger. No meals will be delivered on Monday, July 4, but lunches will be available again on Tuesday, July 5. Lunches will be available at three locations on Mondays and Thursdays. Meals, which are for ELANCO students ages 1 to 21, are offered to families whose children receive free and reduced-cost meals at school. Lunches may be picked up at CrossNet, 110 W. Franklin St., New Holland, from 11 a.m. to noon. Pickup at Petra Church, 565 Airport Road, New Holland, will be from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Lunches available at Pine Grove Church, 1194 Reading Road, Bowmansville, may be picked up from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

Marburger would like to hear from parents of students who plan to participate by Wednesday, June 1. Students who do not have transportation to one of the pickup sites should contact their school principal or call CrossNet at 717-355-2454 for assistance.

Bag lunches will include a main food item, fruit, chips, a dessert, and a beverage. Additional snack items will be included when available. The program is in need of individually packaged snack items, such as granola bars, and resealable sandwich-size plastic bags.

Marburger said she is thankful to local businesses that donate to the lunch program, including Yoder's Country Market, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Shady Maple Farm Market, and the Village Farm Market.

Readers who would like to learn more about CrossNet may visit http://www.elancocross.org.