In 2024, Amy Marburger, food and nutrition manager for CrossNet Ministries, predicted that the organization's summer lunch program would provide a noontime meal each summer weekday for 240 ELANCO School District students. Her forecast was almost a bullseye. "We did roughly 240 a day," stated Marburger. "We (served) 12,800 lunches last summer."

This year, when the program starts on Monday, June 2, lunches will be available at two locations on Mondays and Thursdays. Lunches, which are for people ages 1 to 21 living within the ELANCO area, are offered to individuals who receive free and reduced-cost meals during the school year. Lunches may be picked up at the CrossNet Youth Center, 110 W. Franklin St., New Holland, from 11 a.m. to noon. Lunches at Pine Grove Church, 1194 Reading Road, Bowmansville, may be picked up from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

Marburger is asking for parents to sign up students who will participate by Monday, May 26, so she can have enough lunches prepared for the first day of the program. Although new sign-ups are accepted all summer long, the program needs a count to be prepared for the first day. 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 individual cereal cups, along with supplies like resealable sandwich-size plastic bags and foil sheets, which are utilized when hot items are included in the lunches. Marburger also recommended that those wishing to give visit https://elancocross.org/join-our-team/current-needs and click on "CrossNet Ministries' Amazon Wish List."

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, Sharp Shopper Grocery Outlet, Dutch-Way Farm Market, Hoober Produce, Four Seasons Produce, and Herr Foods Inc.

The seasonal program requires more than 200 volunteers 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/xZjJESx.