App created by Indy teen helps improve summer meals program
MARION COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — A new app is making it easier for children across Marion County to have access to free and nutritious food during the summer.
The app is called Meals on the Go, and it is part of Indy Parks’ efforts to serve kids meals during the summer months.
It was created by an Indianapolis teen named Cole Momcilovich. He said it took him a couple years to find funding and develop the app, but he never lost hope.
The app uses Google Maps to show kids the closest serving location to them. It also lists the menu and times for that day.
Indy Parks served nearly 200,000 meals last year and Momcilovich hopes this year is even better.
“The fact that we provide what is being served, when and the specific times, it kind of helps with scheduling because those kids and parents don’t always have time to come to these sites, and we’re just trying to make it easier for them,” he said.
While the app was his vision, Momcilovich said he didn’t do all the work on his own. He had help from Auri Rahimzadeh, an instructor from Eleven Fifty Academy.
“Cole had the idea and then I wrote the software,” explained Rahimzadeh. “We tried getting a feel for what the kids are going through, so we made sure that the app works offline meaning if you don’t even have internet, it still works.”
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said this initiative is an important one.
“Food insecurity challenges about one in five households with children throughout central Indiana,” said Hogsett.
The app can be downloaded on both iPhone and Android devices. More information about the summer meals program can be found here.