The free summer feeding program for students has come to an end.

The program provided meals at any of the pick up locations in Chicopee for free to anyone under the age of 18. During the pandemic, Chicopee Fresh has been able to give more than 25,000 meals to kids in need.

"Who knew the need was that great until these things happened and people come out and show that the need was there,” said City Councilor Bill Courchesne. 

Chicopee Fresh gave out about 600 meals for breakfast and another 600 meals for lunch every week for the last five months at the Willimansett Police Substation.

With school starting back up, the program is coming to an end but with some students learning virtually, Chicopee Fresh is looking at ways to keep helping out. 

"It’s going to be a challenge but we are all going to get through it if we just do our best and cooperate,” said Courchesne. 

A new plan is still being finalized. Details for what that looks like can’t be released at this time, but will be made public on September 15. Courchesne volunteers at the substation location where they gave our summer meals and said he is hoping they can find a way to keep the remote centers open. 

"There is a lot of people who walk here. We have a spot where people pull up but most people are walking to this site and that is something we need to take into consideration,” he said. 

With parents at work and some students at home, picking up meals could become a challenge for those who need it. Although Chicopee Fresh Staff goes back to working in the schools, Courchesne said they may be able to use funding from the Cares Act to make meals accessible for everyone. 

"I just think we just need a way to get it out to the people instead of the people coming to it,” said Courchesne. “Whether that is putting it on the school buses that are going through the neighborhoods with the bus monitor passing it out or putting people in those remote centers and finding a way to make it happen."

Chicopee Fresh is asking parents to fill out a survey online, that will go towards proving students assistance in the fall.