Maybe There IS Such a Thing as a FREE Lunch Afterall.

Lebanon School Kitchen Manager "Miss Penny"

 

Lunch at the Lebanon Hanson School was a big success!

Beginning today, and everday, Monday through Thursday, until August 6th, the MSAD60 School Nutriton Department is offering FREE meals for all Lebanon kids under the age of 18. Parents or Lebanon residents are also encouraged to attend, paying $4.50 for a nutritionally balanced meal, served with a smile!
I had only a moment to speak with Miss Penny, the Kitchen Manager for both the Lebanon Elementary School and the Hanson School. I laughed as she turned several people away from the pizza window, encouraging them that they MUST have veggies to get the pizza.
According to Miss Penny (she told me EVERYONE calls her Miss Penny) there had been several paying adults, but most of the meals today went to Lebanon Summer Camp members and Lebanon Summer School children.
Any complaints?? Only 2. First, there was NO coffee, Miss Penny encourages you to have milk. Second, all the available seating was taken up by the children. There was just nowhere to sit down and be comfortable. I noted that several residents attending with their families, took their trays outside and enjoyed their meals on the lawn.
But the JOY I noticed in the children giggling, chatting and having lunch together made up for ALL of that!! School mascot, Bailey, the little dog rescued by School Counselor Stephanie Bean from a shelter in Alabama, wandered around the cafeteria saying hello to all the folks attending the meal. She was so well behaved, never begging or stealing food, and accepting pets and hugs from the children. According to Ms. Bean, Bailey is a fixture at the school, attending school with the children every day of the year.

Bailey, the mascot for the Lebanon Schools.

 

"She's usually not allowed in the cafeteria," said Bean, "But it's summer rules, and the kids just love her."  We thought Bailey was a wonderful addition to the cafeteria, and hope she gets to attend lunches all summer!!

If you'd like to enjoy a great school style lunch, feel free to stop by the Hanson School Cafeteria between 11:30 and 12:30, Monday through Thursday (no meals on Friday or over the weekend) or you can come and enjoy Breakfast from 8:00 am to 8:30.