LAPLACE — School age children in St. John the Baptist Parish will be able to receive free nutritional meals starting Monday through the Health and Human Services Summer Food Service Program.

Breakfast will be served from 7:30 until 8:30 a.m. at LaPlace Elementary, New Wine Christian Center and East St. John High School.

Lunch will run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at West St. John Elementary School, LaPlace Elementary School, East St. John High School, New Wine Christian Center and the St. John Parish Alternate School.

The program, which comes to an end July 14, offers food to children — preschoolers though high school seniors — Monday through Thursday.

St. John Parish Communications Director Baileigh Rebowe Helm said the summer meal program, available for students on the East and West bank schools, is offered every year.

“The goal of the program is to provide meals during the summer months to those who may not have access to breakfast or lunch because they aren’t at school,” Helm said.  “The kids will be getting healthy fulfilling meals.”

Children registered for all of the recreation department summer camps will also participate in the food service program.

Parents don’t need to register their children to participate in the free meal service.

“(Parents) just bring them, if the kids are old enough they can bring themselves,” Helm said.

“All of the school aged kids eat free, but if they want, the parents have the option to purchase a meal to eat with their kids for a low cost. That option was also offered last year.

“We aren’t sure of the price yet, it just depends on the meal.”

Helm said officials are excited for the program to begin.

“There is so much going on during the summer in St. John,” she said.

“We really encourage our school age kids to stay busy and active and come enjoy a free meal while they’re off of school. We feel the program (over the years) has been a success. We have very good meals and we’ve had a lot of participation in the past.”

For more information, visit sjbparish.com or call coordinator Angela Aubert at 985-536-4955.