RSU 24 says expanded summer meals reached more students and ran near break-even

District nutrition staff told the RSU 24 board the summer meal expansion exceeded expectations and was financially sustainable with the grant the board previously approved.

The presenter said the expansion averaged about 50 students per week and served a total of 3,256 breakfasts and 3,401 lunches across the district; meals were prepared at Sumner and delivered to outlying pickup sites. The presenter reported total reimbursements of $299,467 and total expenses of $25,810, saying that, even without a labor grant the district had received, the program would have finished close to a $4,000 profit. "These numbers show that the expansion was not only successful in reaching more students, but also financially sustainable," the presenter said. Parents and board members provided positive feedback about outreach and operations in discussion following the presentation.