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NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - Leaders at Nacogdoches ISD said each year more students take advantage of free meals during summer break.

The district is providing free meals over the summer for children ages 1 to 18 at a number of locations throughout the city, including five NISD campuses.

NISD director of nutrition, Robin Thacker said, “It just allows us to meet a need that is there.”

The Nacogdoches ISD summer meal program was started 30 years ago by the student nutrition department to ensure no child goes hungry during summer break. Thacker said this is a federally funded program which is also part of the summer school program.

Free meals are provided at multiple locations including schools and community centers. She said last year they served over 12,000 breakfasts and over 25,000 lunches.

“We have a lot of kids that depend on ... their families depend on ... the extra food during the summer because it helps stretch out their food dollars,” said Thacker.

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at NISD, Les Linebarger, said, “This gives an opportunity for students to get a meal at least a few days a week. Monday through Thursday, for certainly, during the summer.”

School locations will be at Mike Moses Elementary, Nacogdoches High School, McMichael Middle School, Emeline Carpenter Elementary, and Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary.

“We also partnered with the Nacogdoches Rotary Club, and we have a mobile library that will be at the Boys and Girls Club, and then they’ll also be at Mike Moses, so that kids will actually get books as well as lunch,” she said.

Thacker said the food provided will include fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, and an entree. There will also be a grab-and-go for students at the Brooks-Quinn-Jones location.

“The children will have to be present because we have to have a way of proving that we’re not trying to let kids eat at every location, so the parents will have to have their kids in the vehicle with them,” said Thacker.

The Nacogdoches ISD summer meal program will begin May 28 and will go through July 26.

No meals will be served on June 19 and July 4.