SHAMOKIN, Pa. — Now that summer vacation is here, the Strausser-Shroyer Memorial Pool in Shamokin is a busy place. People not only spend their summers swimming here; they eat there too.
"They can just come here, get lunch. It's free food, and it's good for them to keep their bellies full," said Felicia Zigner, a lifeguard at the pool.
For the eighth straight year, Strausser-Shroyer Memorial Pool is giving out free lunches for children 18 and under. Food is provided by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Smart Partners LLC.
Children do not have to be members of the pool to eat there.
"Kids that come without parents and kids that come with parents, and they come daily. They look forward to this. They usually are generally waiting outside our front door to eat," said Mary Duganitz, the manager of the community pool.
Duganitz says they typically serve between 40 and 120 kids each day.
"It is extremely helpful. These kids, there's such a big need here. That's why we brought it to this location. It used to be out at the school, which is not walking distance for the children."
Parents say the program is helpful. Kids like it, too.
"I love it, and I think it's very respectful," Levi Landau said.
The free lunches are provided every weekday, rain or shine, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.