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Happy anniversary and congratulations to the Lunch Lizard mobile meals program as it wrapped up its 10th summer last week, providing meals to children in parks and neighborhoods across the Grand Valley during the summer months when they are not in school.
Our Community Foundation partnered with District 51’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) in 2015 to plan and launch the Lunch Lizard program, providing the funding needed to acquire the first food truck and marketing and administrative support for the first several years. The program has been self-sustaining now for six years through federal USDA Summer Food Service Program reimbursements.
The first food trucks were purchased used and began to break down more and more frequently. In 2022, our generous donors donated $300,000 to purchase two new food trucks for the hugely successful and growing program. The new fleet increased capacity to transport 400 meals at a time (up from 250 meals the original trucks could deliver) and were designed to specs for this program's particular needs.
To celebrate ten successful summers, our Community Foundation is excited to announce that a grant in the amount of $150,000 was recently issued for a third new food truck. This truck is expected to support the newly added route in 2025.
Since the Lunch Lizard began in 2015, over 200,000 meals have been served from the trucks at community locations. Children fed during summer months start the new school year more ready to learn. Our Community Foundation extends a huge thank you to both our donor community and all the FNS staff who work so hard to make this program a success!
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