The free lunch program was the brain child of the late Alvina Harrison-Wells to address the need for feeding school age children during summer vacation. Carpenter's Cup distributes the sack lunches, Monday through Friday at the Bandstand on the Butler Square.
Some 110 lunches are distributed daily courtesy of McDonald's, Sonic and Pizza Hut however, hand made lunches with ham sandwiches and other favorites are also part of the program. The $2000 donation will greatly help to offset costs according to Becky Clift of the Carpenter's Cup "We pack each lunch as a complete meal that includes a dessert and condiments, and it all adds up real quick."
She said it's not unusual to spend $700 per shopping trip even being as thrifty as possible. "Even though, we are blessed by this and all donations we receive. No one should miss a good, free meal and that's our goal."
While the boost from Catholic Charities greatly helps, it won't last long, according to Clift and anyone who would like to make any type of tax deductible donation should stop by the Carpenter's Cup in Butler or give them a call at 660-679-3333.
