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Dallas County’s Summer Feeding Program was deemed a success by Program Director Elizabeth Smiley at Monday evening’s Dallas County Commission meeting.

Smiley came before the commission and reported that the summer feeding program served a total of 9,646 meals over a five-week period, June 8 – July 10 at five different sights.

There were 2,005 meals distributed at Keith Middle-High School, 1,200 meals distributed at House of Prayer Church, 925 meals distributed at Little Rock Church, 876 meals were distributed at Sardis Unity Fellowship and 4,640 meals were distributed at Pine Glen Community Association Building No. 37.

Smiley said the summer feeding program provided nearly twice as many meals in 2020 as it did in 2019, when 5,760 lunches were served.

Smiley said there were 3,886more lunches delivered this year.

“I would like to say that our program was really good,” said Smiley. “I would like to that you all for the support because I could not have done it without you.”

After her report, Smiley was met with a round of applause from Dallas County Probate Judge and Commission Chairman Jimmy Nunn and the rest of the Dallas County Commission.

“The proof is in the pudding,” said Nunn. “She doesn’t have to say anything.”

“I just want to thank [Smiley for working so hard this summer,” said Commissioner Curtis Williams. “She did her job beyond the call of duty.”

The commission expressed concern during the month of May that the summer feeding program would not be as successful this year due to Dallas County Schools having its own meal delivery service made possible by a grant from Baylor University.

“It looked really shakey at the beginning but it turned out much, much better thatn we anticipated,” said Commissioner Roy Moore. “Thank you Mrs. Smiley, great job.”

Commissioner Larry Nickles also commended Smiley, and opined his belief in the power of the Dallas County Summer feeding program.

“This has been a successful program for a long time and I hope it don’t ever quit,” he said.