Children in families who struggle to stay afloat financially often don’t have enough to eat when school is out. Head Start workers and those involved in assistance programs for children in need are aware that some students only get healthy, solid meals while they are at school. What do those children do for food in the summer, they ask themselves.
Community Action of Southern Kentucky oversees the Summer Feeding Services Program in this area. This year’s theme is “Food That’s In When School is Out.” Four locations in Russellville have been established to provide at least one healthy meal a day for those children who qualify.
Those sites are as follows:
1) Guiding Light Daycare, 635 East Fifth Street, through July 29, lunch 12:15-1:15 p.m.
2) Robinwood Apartments, 260 Highland Lick Road, through July 20, 2:15-3:15 p.m.
3) Russellville Housing Authority, 940 Hicks Street, through July 29, 12:45-1:45 p.m.
4) Hampton Park, East Seventh Street, through July 29, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
A four-day “supper feeding” is also scheduled July 26-29 from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at Jesus Church, 687 East Fifth Street during vacation Bible school.
For a few weeks it seemed the Hampton Park location could not be used because of a situation involving a street address. Although Hampton Park was one of the first summer feeding sites in the entire multi-county area, officials would not allow Hampton Park to be used this year, since it did not have a street address.
Crystal Bell, who operates the Russellville office, was told getting a street number couldn’t be done anytime soon because the vehicle the Emergency Operations Center uses to measure distances for address wasn’t working. Fiscal court is trying to work out an agreement involving EOC and the sheriff’s office concerning a vehicle.
When told of the situation by The LoJo, Judge/Executive Logan Chick and Magistrate Curtis Watkins agreed that hungry children shouldn’t be the losers while the decision was being made. Watkins initiated some contacts, and a street address soon was made available.
Community Action of Southern Kentucky provides many services for local families and children. One of them is child care for children six weeks and older who meet criteria and who have up-to-date immunizations. The Logan County Children’s Center is at 320 Peyton Street in Russellville, the same location at Head Start. Hours are 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The phone number is 726-9470.
Other services include Supportive Housing, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, Garden Program, Educational Scholarships, Emergency Food & Shelter, Adult Education & Job Development, and Head Start.
Community Action is always in need of volunteers in areas of Head Start and child care, transportation, food service, senior centers, foster grandparents, weatherization, clerical services, health fairs, phone pals, parking enforcement, disaster preparedness, home meal delivery to seniors, outreach to seniors, telephoning, and the “Scrubby Bear” program in elementary schools.
For information on programs and volunteer opportunities, go to www.casoky.org or call 270-782-3162 or 726-2459.



In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this Institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 202250-9410 or call toll free 866-632-9993 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877=8339 or 800-845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.