Claremont — A free lunch program provided 1,353 meals to children and teens in need this summer in Claremont. A partnership between the Claremont Soup Kitchen, Claremont School District and the New Hampshire Food Bank, it was part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program, which aims to help children access healthy meals during the summer months.

Community members worked together to get the program up and running at four sites in the city — Claremont Middle School, Maple Avenue School, All 4 One Family Space and Claremont Soup Kitchen, organizers said in a news release that lauded the efforts of the more than 40 volunteers who donated their time and energy to the project.

The volunteers, coordinators and friends of the program will get together on Sept. 21 to celebrate the end of a successful first year, the release said.

The New Hampshire Food Bank and local partners plan to continue the program next summer.

— Staff report