WINONA, Minn. – Winona Schools will continue free meals for children through the summer and next school year. The federally funded program began in March 2020 in response to the Covid pandemic. So far 400,000 meals have been distributed, with the number growing all the time. Lunch packs include the next morning breakfast. There also are five-day packs. All children through age18 are eligible regardless of whether they attend a Winona public school.

Summer lunch bus. Winona School summer lunch Bus will have a new locationsoon. Instead of Public Library, as seen here, the bus will be at the Bob Welch Aquatic Center.

What’s for lunch?

A sampler: Some days hot, some days cold, like a turkey and cheese sandwich, pizza or mac and cheese. Always a vegetable and fruit. Sometimes chips or crackers or something crunchy. All with milk.

Breakfast:  Usually cereal plus a side, like graham crackers,  and milk and juice.

Summer pickup places

> Bob Welch Aquatic Center, 780 W. Fourth Street, from 11:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, beginning June 14.  (no meals  Fridays).

> Winona Middle School, 1570 Homer Road, noon.

> Area Learning Center, 1299 W. Third Street, 11:30 a.m.

.> St. Stanislaus Elementary, 602 E. Fifth Street, 11:30 a.m. (No meals Fridays.)

Also at Public Library summer reading sites at 10:30 a.m:

> Hiawat.ha Valley Marines Shelter, Lake Park, June 25.

> Sobieski Park, Steuben and East Wabasha streets, July 9.

> Knopp Valley Park, 300 Knopp Valley Drive, 10:30 a.m. July 23.

> Sinclair Park, 310 E. Broadway, August 6.

There also will be an option to pick up five-day packs at Winona High School, 901 Gilmore Avenue, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. beginning June 16. This option requires a sign up: Nutrition form.