By Gregg Hennigan, The Gazette

NORTH LIBERTY A community organization is stepping up to give North Liberty children a good lunch and fun activities during summer break.

The North Liberty Unity Coalition is starting a free summer lunch program Mondays through Fridays from June 9 through Aug. 18.

I think there are children in the community who probably will not have a good lunch if this isnt provided, and I just think thats very important for kids to have that, said North Liberty Unity Coalition member Judy McRoberts.

Her organization started in 2005 with a mission to enhance the health and well-being of North Liberty children, families and neighborhoods.

Theyve kicked around the idea of a summer lunch program for some years, but when they inquired with the federal government about getting funding as similar programs in other local communities do, they were told North Libertys demographics did not meet guidelines.

A few months ago they discussed it again and decided to do it without government funding because they felt the need was there. There are about 550 North Liberty children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch at their schools, according to the North Liberty Unity Coalition.

The only requirement for the program, however, is participants be 18 years old or younger.

We dont want it to feel like a charity program, said Tracey Mulcahey, a Unity Coalition member and North Libertys assistant city administrator. We want it to feel like a summer program that lunch is just a bonus of.

In that regard, an hour of supervised recreational activities will follow the 30-minute lunch, which will start at 11:30 a.m.

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Free lunch program for kids starting in North Liberty