WILTON — The sandwiches, fruit and milk were ready as staff and volunteers waited for the children to arrive Monday, the first day of free summer lunches at Kineowatha Park for all children.

The lunch program, hosted by the Wilton Recreation Department, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday from July 1 to Aug. 8.

The lunches are available for any child age 18 and under but the meal has to be eaten at the park, Cheryl Ellis, RSU 9 food/nutrition coordinator, said. Ellis is managing the program and lunches are prepared by Nancy Pratt at Academy Hill School.

Adults can purchase a meal for $3.

Recreation Director Frank Donald was invited earlier this year to become involved in planning for a summer food service program through Feeding America.

The Wilton park posed a good location with the town’s swim program held there and many children spending time there in the summer, he previously said.

The program is at no cost to the town but townspeople wanted to be involved. Several have volunteered. Volunteers Nahid Dalpour and Kathy Leonards waited along with staff Monday to help feed the children.

Donald has a list of volunteers ready to help, he said.

The program will run three days this week due to the holiday, he said.

abryant@sunjournal.com