By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
Free meals and books aplenty.
That’s what Otsego Public Schools will be offering to the community during the upcoming summer break.
OPS recently announced the schedule for its Meet Up & Eat Up meal program and the Bulldogs Bookin’ Bus mobile library.
“Both of these programs are incredibly beneficial to our students, families and community,” Otsego Public School superintendent Jeffery Haase said. “We hope that people will take advantage of both of them to enjoy a meal and a book on us this summer.”
Meet Up & Eat Up is a federal program that allows school districts to offer meals at no cost for students during the summer. OPS has offered this program for the past nine years.
Meet Up & Eat Up offers free breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday beginning Monday, June 17, and ending Friday, Aug. 2. No meal service will be offered the week of July 1 to 5 in recognition of the Independence Day holiday.
No sign-up is needed to participate in the program and there are no income requirements or guidelines.
All individuals 18 years of age and under are eligible to receive the free meals. Individuals up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally, physically disabled that is recognized by a state or local public educational agency are also eligible.
Adults can purchase a meal for $5. All meals must be eaten on site.
Locations and times for Meet Up & Eat Up are as follows:
● Washington Street Elementary: (enter from the west side of the building, by the former swimming pool)
○ Breakfast is served from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
○ Lunch is served from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
● Otsego High School: (use main entrance)
○ Breakfast is served from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
○ Lunch is served from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
● Watson Mobile Home Park
○ Lunch is served from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
● Lombardini Mobile Home Park
○ Lunch is served from 11:45 a.m. 12:15 p.m.
● Otsego’s Northside Park
○ Lunch is served from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.
While students are enjoying their meal, they can read a book they borrow though the Bookin’ Bus mobile library.
This program allows students to check out books throughout the summer months in an effort to maintain and/or improve reading proficiency.
The Bookin’ Bus will begin making stops on Tuesday, June 18, and will continue through Thursday, Aug.1. No stops will be made on Tuesday, July 2, or Thursday, July 4.
The Bookin’ Bus stop schedule is as follows:
● Washington Street Elementary: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m.
● Watson Mobile Home Park: Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
● Lombardini Mobile Home Park: Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
● Otsego’s Northside Park: Thursdays from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.
