According to Alicia Ferrari, one in three children in Eastern York School District receives free or reduced-price lunch during the school year. But what happens when the school year ends? That's where Ferrari steps in. She will serve as coordinator of the Summer Lunch Program at Wrightsville Presbyterian Church, offering free lunch to school-age children in Wrightsville Borough every weekday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program will run inside the fellowship hall at the church, 205 N. Second St., Wrightsville, from Monday, June 10, through Friday, Aug. 16.

"We are here to ensure that these children have access to a healthy lunch over the summer," Ferrari explained. For many years, she said, Wrightsville Presbyterian Church was part of the Columbia Presbyterian Church/Hands Across the Street Summer Lunch Program. Last summer, she worked as site supervisor for the program.

"This year, as they open two new sites in Columbia, we are kicking off our own program," she shared. "We have a rotating monthly menu."

Food will be provided from a variety of local sources. Hot meals will be served on Mondays and Wednesdays. Each Monday in June, John Wright Restaurant staff will provide food. "Wednesdays' meals will be prepared by our partners at Hope United Methodist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church and Mount Pisgah Trinity United," Ferrari remarked. "And on Fridays, we will have pizza from Marcello's. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we will provide a 'grab and go' bagged lunch."

The Summer Lunch Program is funded by donations both in kind and financial. "To date, we have raised $7,000 and hope to exceed our goal of $10,000 by the start of the program," Ferrari said. "We secured $4,000 as a matching grant. All donations are tax deductible." To contribute, visit http://www.wpcpa.org and click "give."

Beyond lunch, the program offers opportunities for students to have fun and socialize. "We provide an air-conditioned hall for the children to enjoy their lunch in, as well as activities like foosball, air hockey, coloring, board games, card games like Uno or Skip-Bo, a dance mat, sometimes an outdoor water slide or water balloons, tie dye, bubbles, craft projects," Ferrari stated. "We have wonderful volunteers working with the children to provide an enriching, safe environment each day."

Ferrari said becoming the Summer Lunch Program coordinator was a perfect fit for her, because she believes in building up her community. She's the founder of Wrightsville for All, a local group focused on connecting the community by hosting free, family-friendly events, and she attends worship at Wrightsville Presbyterian Church on Sundays.

"I lead this project because I am a mom, a volunteer in the youth group at church and have a background in kitchen, restaurant and catering management," she shared. "My values and vision for the community strongly align with the church's."

There is no need for students to preregister for the program. To participate as a volunteer, people must obtain child care clearances and contact wfa17368@yahoo.com. Community members are invited to make donations of items including drinks, single-serving snacks and nonperishables. For more information on the Summer Lunch Program, visit the aforementioned website.