Two meals a day are being served during the week at nine sites in Harlan County, including vacation Bible schools, youth service centers and day camps. The meals are prepared at the CAA headquarters and then picked up by site directors.
"This year we have more sites and more kids," said CAA Executive Director Donna Pace.
Organizers are pushing for the program to grow even more.
"We're really trying to reach out to rural areas," said Betty Burkhart, finance director for the CAA. "Our goal is to reach every kid in Harlan County. It may take us a few years, but we want to."
Last year, 11,381 meals were served in the program. Money for the program comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
At Black Mountain Baptist Church, this week's Bible school provided dinner after an evening of activities. In the past, said Pastor Jim Clem, children would be fed, but instead of sandwiches, fruit and vegetables, they'd get cookies and potato chips.
This year, Bible school students got a square meal, and according to Ed Lyttle, director for the school, it could really help. "This might be the only meal some of them get today. It's a good program."
Summer Food Service targets children who, during the school year, eat free or reduced school lunches and are left without when summer comes around. Pace said that every child in Harlan County is welcome to the table.
Meals must have all basic food groups, and must be served before 8 p.m., said organizers.
"We try to make the meals child-friendly," said Agnes Middleton, the kitchen supervisor for CAA.
Most of the sites serve breakfast and lunch, and a few are serving lunch and dinner.
The program runs for two months this summer, and organizers are searching for more sites. To set one up, or to locate a Summer Food Service site in your area, contact the CAA at 573-5367.
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