CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — The Jefferson County community is bringing together youth and senior citizens for meals, activities and developing relationships led by Sen. John Unger.
Unger (D-Jefferson) spoke recently on MetroNews ‘Talkline’ about the Feed to Achieve bill passed in the last legislative session, which aims to provide meals and enrichment to less fortunate citizens. But he said it’s about more than food and politics.
“We’re not just serving meals. We’re actually developing relationships and building community,” Unger said. “That’s really what the focus is. It’s also not just driven by government. It’s a whole community process.”
He described how the process works, utilizing buses to serve lunches.
“We’re utilizing lunch buses not carrying the kids to the site but actually taking the bus to remote locations in the county so meals can be served to both the children and the seniors,” said Unger.
Unger said he’s recently seen the report stating 1 out of 4 West Virginia children are living in poverty and the rate has went up to 38 percent. Other counties hope to use the same idea for free lunch summer programs.
Lunch is served at various locations throughout Jefferson County Monday through Friday from 12 to 12:30 p.m. followed by activities.