(KNZA)--The 4th annual Hiawatha summer lunch program kicked off Monday.

The program is put on by Hiawatha ACES in conjunction with the St. Joseph-based Second Harvest Community Food Bank and the USDA.

Free meals will be provided to youth up to the age of 18 Monday through Friday from 11:30 to 1:00 in the basement of the Brown County Sheriff's Office.  

The program's goal is to help ensure that children in Brown County have the opportunity to receive a nutritional, well balanced meal for lunch throughout the summer free of charge.

Last year, the program served 84 kids a day on average.