NORWICH – With the cost of everyday expenses continuing to rise, families locally and nationally are facing the harsh reality that putting food on the table is not as easy as it once was. One local school district is trying to take the edge off food costs by offering free breakfast and lunch meals to children.

Beginning July 7 and ending August 8, all children from toddlers to those 18 years old are invited to come in or take out their meals as part of the Summer Feeding Program, sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture. The free meals are being served at the Norwich High School from 8 to 9 a.m. for breakfast, and from 11 a.m. to noon for lunch.

Norwich City Schools Food Service Director Jackie Jenks said the school district continually tries to do what they can to ensure children in Norwich and its vicinity are eating proper meals throughout the day.

“Some of these children depend on the meals they receive at school every day. We are trying to keep that going,” said Jenks.