The Summer Lunch and Literacy program through the Carter County School System continues to grow and will be headed to Happy Valley on Monday.

During the month of June, the school system will be providing a free hot lunch meal to children on Monday through Friday at different sites throughout the county.

Monday will kick off the third week of the program as Lunch and Literacy moves to Happy Valley High School. Meals will be served at the school from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Staff will serve the meals in the cafeteria at each location. The sites are only open during serving times, and the cafeteria will be the only portion of the facility open to the program.

Children and teens may go to any or all of the sites during operational weeks, not just the school in their community.

Children taking part in the program must be supervised by an adult. The child’s meal is free, and the accompanying adult can purchase a meal for $3.25. There are no income requirements or registration required to participate in this program.

Last week the program served meals at two locations — Little Milligan Elementary and Hampton High School. According to school system officials, the program averaged 40 children per day at the Little Milligan site and 60-70 kids per day at the Hampton High School location.

Following the first week of the program — which served meals at Cloudland Elementary — Director of Schools Dr. Kevin Ward said the school system was already beginning to make plans to continue the program next year and possibly expand it.

In addition to receiving their meals, the children will also receive a free book as long as the supply of books lasts.

The school system is still accepting donations of new and gently-used books to be given out to the children. Donated books must be age appropriate for children or teens. Those wishing to donate books can drop them off at any of the county schools or the school system’s Central Office located at 305 Academy Street.

Ward said any books left over after the program this summer would be stored for use in the program next year.

For more information on the Lunch and Literacy Program, call 423-547-2917.