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When school is out during summer vacation, many children go without noontime meals, but the Acadia Parish Health Unit has a solution for that problem.
On weekdays, any child under the age of 18 can walk into the health unit and receive a free lunch meal, no questions asked.
The meals are the result of a collaboration between the Acadia Parish Health Unit and Second Harvest Food Bank.
According to Region 4 Office of Public Health Regional Medical Director Dr. Tina Stefanski, the program came about after the United States Department of Agriculture approached OPH about expanding its Women, Infants and Children Summer Feeding Program.
“This is a pilot program to expand access to medical clinics and only four sites in the state were chosen,” said Stefanski.
“When this opportunity was presented to us, we immediately requested that the Acadia Parish Health Unit be one of the pilot sites. This is a great opportunity to expand access to healthy meals for children in Acadia Parish, and we are thrilled that this health unit was chosen.”
“Lunch plays an important role in a child’s day,” she added.
The meals are being served at the Health Unit five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and they meet strict nutrition standards, including a balance of fruits, vegetable, grains and proteins.
The lunches are shelf-stable meals prepared by Second Harvest and delivered to the Health Unit. All sites are inspected by the OPH Health Inspectors and meet all state code requirements.
Regional Nutritionist Traci Quebedeaux says that the children seem to be enjoying the meals and stresses the value of nutrition for children.
“A balanced diet of three meals and three snacks a day is critical for children’s brain development and physical growth,” stated Quebedeaux.
The meals must be eaten at the Health Unit, where tables and chairs are provided, but there is no registration or paperwork necessary. If a child arrives at the Health Unit for a meal, they will receive it with no strings attached.
The free lunch meals are also available to persons ages 19 and older who are mentally or physically disabled and participating in a public or private nonprofit school program for the mentally or physically disabled.
And they are, in fact, welcome to ask for a second serving.
The Acadia Parish Health Unit is located at 1029 Capitol Road in Crowley.
For more information call the health unit at 788-7507.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne for Kermit J. Cormier, 78, who passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at 6:07 P.M. at Acadia General Hospital in Crowley.

Fr. Kevin Bordelon, Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne will be officiating for the services. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Church New Cemetery in Rayne.

The family has requested the visitation to be held on Friday, June 15, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. in the Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Rayne. A Rosary will be recited on Friday at 7 o’clock in the evening in the Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will resume on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 8:00 A.M. until time of services.

Survivors include two daughters, Christine and husband, Dale Guilbeaux of Roberts Cove, Lacey and husband, Brent Mouton of Rayne; two sisters, Cindy and husband, Curt Marks of Mire, Monica Cormier Fontenot of Carencro; one brother, Ronald Cormier of Scott; five grandchildren, Claire Guilbeaux of Youngsville, Jordan Guilbeaux of Roberts Cove, Meghan Guilbeaux of Roberts Cove, Lexie Mouton of Lafayette and Gabrielle Mouton of Rayne; two great-grandchildren, Kristian Guilbeaux and Mackenzie Campbell both of Youngsville.

Mr. Cormier was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Cormier; his parents, Odette and Wilton Martin, and Ernest and Thelma Cormier; one brother, John Alex Martin; one sister, Carolyn Martin.

You may view the obituary, sign the guest registry and express condolences to Mr. Cormier’s family online at www.duhonfuneralhome.com.

Duhon Funeral Home-Rayne, (337)334-3600, 900 East Texas Ave., Rayne, LA 70578 is in charge of all of the arrangements.

RAYNE - A number of properties took center stage during discussion and action at Monday’s City Council meeting here.
The Council was asked to consider the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board to deny a request by ARC of Acadiana to re-zone lots 4 and 5 of block 8 of Sunrise Acres Subdivision in Rayne from R-1 to R-3.
Comments were first heard from Sunrise Subdivision residents William (John) Hollier and Kathryn Arceneaux along with a written statement by Ronnie Arabie in opposition to the re-zoning of the two lots.
Additional comments were followed by attorney Robert David, who spoke on behalf of ARC of Acadiana, urging the Council to allow the re-zoning and eventual construction of the ARC home at the location in question for the eight disabled residents it will house.
Following a brief discussion by Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux and the Council, the matter was tabled until next month’s meeting.
Additional properties were presented to the Council for action.
From the Permit Department, three properties were revisited and presented by City Inspector Mark Daigle for demolition. The following actions were taken by the Council on the advise of Rodney L. “Coon” Richard of Building Code Inspection Service, LLC:
• house, barn and mobile home at 208 Melanie St. - 60 days to demolish;
• house at 413 Sixth St. - given one year as law provides to either remodel house or demolish; and
• second story addition at 502 Sixth St. - given 90 days to demolish.
As the minutes from the May meeting were approved with corrections, the Council adopted a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter and execute a professional service agreement with Harris Local Government Smartfusion for the purpose of upgrading the city’s computer software products and services.
Following an executive session to discuss legal issues with city attorneys, Sen. Jonathan Perry, R-Kaplan, addressed the Council and audience. He spoke of the upcoming special session to begin on Monday.
In addition to a number of City Hall surplus items under new business, the monthly financial update was presented by City Clerk Annette Cutrera.
Announced were the millage rates for the 2018 tax year that will be adopted at the July 9 City Council meeting. It was noted the millage would remain the same; therefore, no action was required.
A request was received by the Council from Audrey Guidry to extend hours for an event on June 16 at the Civic Center Auditorium. Due to the recent adoption of a midnight closing at all city locations, the request was denied.
The Council considered and passed the CapRisk Actuarial Services for the City of Rayne for their assistance to the city in management of its retirement plan and for other post-employment benefits.
Rayne resident Jordy Martin addressed the Council and asked for their definition of City Ordinance 34-52 regarding loud music from vehicles. He also asked the Council to consider investing in a device to measure decibel levels so the law is clear to violators.
A street drive on July 27 and 28 by the A&O 21st Century Club was considered and approved by the Council.
The Council also approved a liquor permit for Oscar Borne III, owner of Paco’s Cajun Products, LLC, of Rayne.
In regards to the engineer’s report, the Council authorized Mader Engineering, Inc. to conduct topographic surveying, engineering analyses and cost estimates required for installing a new subsurface drainage system along West Bernard Street and across Adams Avenue to Gabriel’s Alley.
The request comes at the request of the St. Joseph Cemetery Board of St. Joseph Catholic Church, who wishes to improve drainage surrounding the entire block south of the church that houses St. Joseph Cemetery #1.
The final order of business of the evening was the mayor’s announcement for the start of the Barbara Street lift station and upgrade work to begin following Friday morning’s groundbreaking ceremony held on site.

SCOTT - A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Scott, for Daniel P. “Blanc” LeBlanc, 67, who passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2018, at his residence.
Rev. Mark Derise will officiate at the Memorial Mass. Readers will be Bridget H. Trevino and Vickie K. LeBlanc. Gift bearers will be Gabrielle Anise Trevino and Christopher M. LeBlanc.
Blanc worked in the food service industry for many years as the owner and operator of “Blanc’s Cajun Pistolettes”. He was a fleet mechanic for Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. for several years. His skills and talents were many, in addition to being a great mechanic, he was also a welder, plumber, electrician, and a heavy equipment operator until his retirement. Blanc was a practical joker and enjoyed making people laugh. He loved listening to Cajun music and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, most especially his two sons, Ryan and Cory, in their shop. He was a member of the Scott Knights of Columbus.
Blanc will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his sons, Ryan Paul LeBlanc and Cory Louis LeBlanc, both of Scott; his brothers, John Wayne LeBlanc and wife Diane of Mire and Louis “Flap” LeBlanc Jr. and wife Vickie of Duson; his sisters, Catherine L. Hoffpauir and husband Horace of Scott, Erisse “Faye” Schexnider and husband Allen of Duson, Corinne M. LeBlanc of Duson, and Alice Joyce Landry and husband Steve of Vatican; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis LeBlanc, Sr. and Palma Guidry LeBlanc; brothers, Donald Ray LeBlanc, Michael Louis LeBlanc and Darrell James LeBlanc; and nephews, Joshua Kyle and Christopher Paul LeBlanc.
The family would like to invite everyone to a reception at Blanc’s home following the Memorial Mass.
Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.