Summer Bites
Summer Bites: Serving Fond du Lac Families Since 1993
Founded in 1993 as The Salvation Army's Brown Bag Lunch Program, Summer Bites is one of Fond du Lac's longest-running free summer meal programs, providing nutritious lunches to children and families throughout the summer months for more than 30 years.
The program was created to help bridge the gap when school meals are unavailable, ensuring that children continue to have access to healthy, dependable food while school is out of session. While community needs have evolved over the years, our mission remains the same: providing nutritious, worry-free meals to local families.
Thanks to the support of dedicated volunteers, community organizations, local businesses, and generous donors, Summer Bites continues to serve children across Fond du Lac each year. Community partners have included local nonprofits, faith communities, educational organizations, and businesses that share a commitment to helping children thrive.
In 2024, the program adopted the name Summer Bites, reflecting both its rich history and its continued growth within the community.
What's Included in Each Meal
Each Summer Bites lunch typically includes:
- A peanut butter or meat sandwich
- Chips or a snack item Fresh fruit or vegetables
- A dessert item
- A beverage
Honoring Those Who Made a Difference
Summer Bites honors the individuals whose compassion, generosity, and service helped shape the program and strengthen our community.
Ethel Lohse believed deeply in nourishing children and families - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Her support of the lunch program reflected her commitment to caring for others.
Jeff Faris generously contributed to the program through his family's business, helping extend kindness and support to local children and families.
Theresa Tousey faithfully volunteered her time to The Salvation Army and the Fond du Lac community. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and willingness to help wherever needed left a lasting impact on the Summer Bites program.
How You Can Help
Community support makes Summer Bites possible. You can help by:
- Donating individual fruit cups
- Providing juice boxes
- Contributing cookies or fruit snacks
- Making a monetary donation
- Volunteering your time
- Organizing a community collection drive on behalf of the program
For information about donations, volunteering, or hosting a collection drive, please contact The Salvation Army in Fond du Lac.
Our History
The Brown Bag Lunch Program was established in 1993 by Salvation Army caseworker Claudette DeGarmo (Auman), who recognized that many families struggled to provide meals for children during the summer months when school was not in session.
Encouraged by Salvation Army leadership and guided by the organization's mission of meeting human needs, Claudette helped launch a program that distributed thousands of free lunches during its first summer. The effort quickly became a valued community resource and continued to grow through the support of volunteers and local partners.
Over the decades, countless individuals, organizations, and businesses have contributed to the program's success. The dedication of volunteers and the generosity of the community have enabled Summer Bites to remain a lasting tradition of service and compassion in Fond du Lac.
Today, Summer Bites continues that legacy by helping ensure that children and families have access to nutritious meals and caring community support throughout the summer.