By Azana Carr

Correspondent

A variety of sites in Suffolk are holding summer feeding programs to help children in need continue to eat well throughout the summer.

One such program comes from the Cover 3 Foundation, which is conducting the program for the seven year.

The founder of Cover 3, Greg Scott, commenced this mission soon after his retirement from the NFL in 2010. He began research studies in malnutrition among children in cities like Suffolk and Franklin.

He discovered that many children do not receive sufficient meals when they are out of school for the summer due to their families’ low incomes. Scott decided to implement the program to give aid to those families who weren’t as fortunate.

With the help of the program, about 3,000 children are receiving full meals such as breakfast and lunch. About 1,100 are receiving snacks.

“We’ve come a long way” from the start of the program, Scott said.

He often doesn’t see the impact on the community until he runs into parents during his youth football seasons, which last from August to November. He remembers this past season many parents walking up to him with gratitude for the meals that summer.

“I didn’t have to worry where my child’s next meal comes from,” Scott recalled them saying.

But even with its success, the summer feeding program is still “an underused program,” Scott said. “A lot of people don’t know about it.” He encourages those who need the help to come and use the easily accessible support.

There’s even room for those who want to participate in giving back to the community. The program always generates something to do, so volunteers of all ages are welcome. Check out www.cover3foundation.org/summer-feeding-sites for more information.

Cover 3 Foundation’s has two summer feeding sites in Suffolk. They are:

• King’s Fork High School, 351 Kings Fork Road; July 31 to Sept. 4; Breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m.; lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
• Metropolitan Baptist Church, 125 County St.; Through July 30; Dinner from 7:15 to 7:30 p.m.

Suffolk Parks and Recreation also conducts a summer feeding program. Locations and times are as follows:

• Apple Tree Learning Center No. 1, 410 N. Broad St.; Through Aug. 15; Breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m.; Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Apple Tree Learning Center No. 2, 601 W. Washington St.; Through Aug. 15; Breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m.; Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Mack Benn Jr. Recreation Center, 1253 Nansemond Parkway; Through Aug. 21; Breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m.; Lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
• Booker T. Washington Recreation Center, 204 Walnut St.; Through Aug. 21; Breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m.; Lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
• Whaleyville Community Center, 132 Robertson St.; Through Aug. 21; Breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m.; Lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
• King’s Fork Middle School, 350 Kings Fork Road; Through Aug. 21; Breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m.; Lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
• East Suffolk Recreation Center, 138 S. Sixth St.; Through Aug. 21; Breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m.; Lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
• Oakland Recreation Center, 5505 Godwin Blvd.; Through Aug. 21; Breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m.; Lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
• Parker-Riddick Village, 94 Stacey Drive; Through Aug. 21 but closed on Wednesdays; Breakfast from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
• Colander Bishop Meadows, 925 Brook Ave.; Through Aug. 21 but closed on Wednesdays; Breakfast from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
• Hoffler Apartments, 2210 E. Washington St.; Through Aug. 21 but closed on Wednesdays; Breakfast from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
• Metropolitan Baptist Church, 125 County St.; Through July 30; Lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
• Oak Grove Baptist Church, 2635 E. Washington St.; Aug. 1-30; Breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m.; Lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

Call Parks and Recreation at 514-7100 for more information about their programs.

Suffolk Public Schools also is conducting a summer food service program. All of their locations serve on Monday through Thursday only. Following are the times and locations:

• Nansemond River High School, 3301 Nansemond Parkway; Through July 29; Breakfast from 7 to 8 a.m.
• Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School, 1253 Nansemond Parkway; Through July 30; Breakfast from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.; Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Snack from 2 to 2:30 p.m.
• King’s Fork Middle School, 350 Kings Fork Road; Through July 28; Breakfast from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m.; Snack from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.