The broad ax., 1917-05-19
LOTS FOR A PENNY.

There are doubtless thousands of peo
pie in the City of Chicago who have
never even heard of the school lunch
service in the elementary schools for
the children of Chicago. 1t is also true,
perhaps, that thousands who have
heard of it and know of the existence
of this service, have no adequate idea
OF its value and what it means along
the lines of conserving the health of
the school children and its Importance
as an adjunct of the city's public
school system Much credit. should be
given to Mrs. Geo. p. Fosbrink and
Mrs. Chas. o. Sethness, who, as mem
bcrs of the Board of Education il 1913,
took an active interest in this work;
Mrs Vosbrink being appointed chair.
NAH to look after the interests Of the
lunches. Since 1915 District Superin-
tendent Samuel B. Allison has been in
charge of the lunches under the direc-
ton of the board IS committee.
The first penny lunch room was in
stalled in 1910 in the Adams School.
During the school year 1914, under
Slrs. Vosbrink s supervision, ten addi-
tional rooms were installed. Contin-
uing its interest and support the com
mittee secured appropriations in the
budget for 1914-15 to open twelve ad-
ditional rooms, making twenty-six in
operation at the close of June, 1916.
According to the report made by Su-
perintendent Shoop there are five
groups of children found in the Chi
cago public schools for which it seems
there is necessity for supplying lunch
in the school building. These include
children who, owing to parental neg
lect, have not had a sufficient break
fast: and to such children a luncheon
is necessary before the midday meal;
children whose homes are not open at
midday for an adequate meal on ac-
count of parents working out; children
living at a considerable distance from
anemic physical conditions demand ill
creased nourishment; children who,
through poverty or neglect, are not fur
nished with the pittance asked for the
food served.
The menus are varied weekly and
consist of hot lunches, either a vege-
table soup, or cocoa, which is served
with milk, sugar and two slices of
bread, sometimes with spread of jam
or Jelly. This ration is given for a
penny at loss. The loss is made up
on the soup menus. For children who
have little or no breakfast ut home,
luncheon is served at the morning re-
cess, consisting of sandwiches with
IA generous slice of Vienna sausage or
potted ham. These, as stated, are sold
for penny without loss. The service
is on the cafeteria order; the children
file by, deposit their pennies and each
is handed a sandwich.
While no careful studies have been
made to determine just how far the
school lunches have been a factor in
improving the physical health of the
children, yet the following extracts
from a statement of results observed at
the Keith School are wen worth noting.
1t says:
"The most important and gratifying
effect of the penny lunch upon the chill
lren of the Keith School is their i'm
proved physical condition and notice
able decrease in the per cent of anem-
les. The school doctor and nurse
have both testified as to this result.
Among other results is the elm
ination of practically all gum chewing
and eating candy in the school room.