The annual free lunch program that wrapped up its 2011 season on Wednesday, provided 56,496 lunches this year compared to 26,724 last year.

This is an increase of 29,772 free meals - or 111 percent.

The growth, said Foodbank officials, was partly the result of the agency's new mobile delivery program, which allowed the summer staff members to reach more lunch sites than when they were all anchored to a smaller number of fixed sites. Of the 18 Picnic in the Park sites in Boise, 10 were mobile sites.

The program serves sites located near schools where a large percentage of students get free and reduced lunch - one indication of poverty.

Winstead Park was the most popular park this summer with a total of 7,588 lunches served. Ivywild Park was second with 6,116 meals, and Redwood Park was third with 5,328.

The highest total distribution week was June 20-24, with 6,541 lunches given out.

The Foodbank's major partners this year were the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Idaho State Department of Education. Picnic in the Park also received support from ConAgra Foods, Share Our Strength, Champion Windows and Boise City Parks and Recreation.

The Idaho Foodbank plans to release the latest numbers about childhood hunger on Aug. 25. The Halt the Hunger campaign, a matching grant drive with the Meridian-based Scentsy company, continues through Aug. 31.

Get updates at http://www.haltthehunger.com. The current total is $205,000.