Kids Dine Free at Boys & Girls Club

Pat Fisher and his buddies usually just skateboard through lunch during the summer.

But no more. With the help of state funding, Fisher and 250 other youths take a break at noon for a free lunch at Camarillo Boys & Girls Club, the latest of 11 locations in west Ventura County to serve midday meals to anyone 18 and under.

“It’s free, and we’re hungry after we skate,” said Fisher, 18.

Site supervisor Rita Pisaini opens her door at noon and 10 minutes later has only a few lunches left.

The kids agree that one of the best things about the free lunch program is the price.

“Free lunch is about kids that don’t usually get food,” said Amanda Penko, 9.

“And it’s yummy,” added third-grader Vanessa Carr.

Alexandria Gynda, 11, makes sure everyone has milk and utensils. “I like to help out a lot,” she said. “It makes me feel like part of something. It gives me a good feeling inside.”

Lunch one day last week consisted of a turkey and cheese sandwich, celery and peanut butter, corn chips, a fruit cup and chocolate. Though many kids prefer the hot lunches offered some days, others aren’t choosy.

“I like the fruit and the sandwiches and the vegetables and the drinks,” said Asia Lambert, 8.

Cody Venable, 10, also was a fan. “I had to make my lunches every day,” he said. “Not any more.”

The recipients also seem grateful for the lack of financial pressure put on their parents.

“I don’t like my mom paying because she needs to save money,” said Victoria Packer, 8.

The lunches are available to Boys & Girls Club members and nonmembers alike, but all are required to eat them on the club grounds.

When he found out about the program, one teenage skateboarder hurried to get a lunch. Afterward, he returned to his group of friends and shouted, “I just got a free lunch--yeah, free lunch.”

Free lunches are available at the Boys & Girls Club of Port Hueneme, 590 E. Pleasant Valley Road (through Aug. 27); Southwinds Recreation Center, 300 Clara St., Port Hueneme (through Aug. 27); the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura, 1929 Johnson Drive (through Aug. 27) and 1440 N. Olive St. (through July 23); Cabrillo Co-op, 1515 S. Saticoy Ave., Ventura (through Aug. 27); Saticoy Community Center, 1168 Violeta St. (through Aug. 27); Ventura Housing Authority, 995 Riverside, (through July 23); Westpark Community Center, 450 W. Harrison Ave., Ventura (through July 7/23); Durley Park, 800 W. Hill St., Oxnard (through Aug. 27); La Colonia Recreation Center, 195 N. Marquita St., Oxnard (through Aug. 27); and the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club, 1500 Temple Ave. (through Aug. 27).

For more information about the free program, call Child Nutrition Services at 641-5055.