Chances are most weekdays this summer you’ll find Pensacola grandmother Elaine Cotton at the Ebonwood /Oakcrest Community Center around lunchtime.

“I have four grandkids and a slew of the kids in the community that I go pick up and we go and enjoy ourselves at the center,” said Cotton, grandmother of two 7-year-olds, as well as a 6-year-old and a 5-year-old.

“I try to have them there every day.”

Cotton’s grandchildren and their buddies are taking part in Escambia County’s free Play, Learn, Grow summer feeding program, which started on Monday. The Play, Learn, Grow summer day camp program – which cost $25 per family, per session – also started on Monday.

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“Play, Learn, Grow” Feeding and Day Camp Programs

The feeding program – which is free for children ages 5 to 18 – is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dorrie Miller Community Center, 2819 N. Miller St., and the Ebonwood/Oakcrest Community Center, 3511 W. Scott St..on Monday through Friday, through Aug. 7.

Starting Wednesday, lunch will also be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday at Montclair Elementary School, 820 Massachusetts Ave., through Aug. 6.

For more information about the summer feeding program, contact Leroy Williams at (850) 595-1619 or [email protected].

The summer camp is being held at Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. Desoto St., The program runs weekdays through Aug 7, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It includes various recreational activities.

The camp registration fee is $25 per session, per family. Proof of child's age and school enrollment are required to register. Acceptable verification documents include a report card or a progress report from current school year.

For more information about the summer camp program, contact Shurlitha Jones at (850) 426-1234 or [email protected].

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“The lunches are great. They are very nutritious,” Cotton said. “They have nutritious activities. Last year, one lady came in and she taught them how to do a smoothie, with grapes, yogurt and bananas.”

The lunches in the feeding program, which are provided by the Bay Area Food Bank, generally include a sandwich and various side items.

The Play, Learn Grow programs are aimed at “narrowing the academic achievement gap among low-income and minority youth,” says Leroy Williams, a community center coordinator with Escambia County.

“Play, Learn, Grow will provide a safe and structured environment that will stimulate and encourage youth to continue their learning in a fun and engaging manner through the summer months,” Williams said.  “Nutritional lunch meals will be provided as a key component in fostering strong and healthy youths.”

Cotton is grateful to have a place for her grandchildren and other youngsters to eat lunch in the summer.

“Being a grandmother and working hard, you want that structured environment and don’t have to worry about getting them something to eat because they’re somewhere it will be provided,” she said. “Some kids don’t have anything to eat, I know. It’s a place to provide them what they need – not just the food, but there are other things the kids can benefit from.”

More than 500 children participated in the feeding program last summer, Williams said, and he expects that many or more this year. There are 150 slots in the summer camp program for children ages 5 to 12.

Early registration for the camp program was last week, but registration continues throughout the first three days of camp. The camp cost $25 per family, per session. The second session begins July 6.

The camp also provides food – breakfast, lunch and a snack.

“Escambia County Play Learn, Grow Summer Camp will provide summer day camp activities focusing primarily on recreational, social and educational enrichment for school age youth of Escambia County,” said Shurlitha Jones, who is also a community center coordinator for the county.

“The overall goal of the program will be to provide quality programs in a safe, structured environment that stimulate and encourage youth to continue their learning in a fun, engaging manner throughout the summer months.”