West Virginia Universitys Energy Express, a summer literacy and nutrition program for children in rural or low-income communities, has been named a Program of Distinction by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The distinction is the highest program honor bestowed by the Department of Agriculture. Under the leadership of WVU Extension Services 4-H Youth Development, Energy Express served nearly 3,000 school-age children in 39 West Virginia counties in 2008.

This program extends beyond the obvious benefits,said Debbie McDonald, state 4-H program leader.We give children a safe, comfortable learning environment but also foster creativity and hopefully help them to develop a lifelong love of literacy.

Small groups of no more than eight children are paired with one of nearly 500 West Virginia college students engaged in service with AmeriCorps. The students serve as mentors. Under their direction, children create books, read aloud, write and perform plays, and read silently or with partners.

Other AmeriCorps members serve as volunteer coordinators, recruiting, training and supervising community volunteers.

During the summer months, children risk falling behind when it comes to literacy skills if they dont continue to read and learn,said Ruthellen Phillips, Energy Express director.Energy Express has a measurable impact on preventing the summer learning slide. Data show children gain or maintain literacy skills when they complete the program.

Children also receive nearly 60 percent of their daily nutritional requirements through two U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved meals. The meals are served family-style to foster conversation and cooperation. Most participants take part in free and reduced-price lunch programs during the school year.

Many of these children dont have access to well-balanced meals during the summer months,McDonald said.Energy Express allows us to combine learning and nutrition in a way that engages children.

Energy Express is a partnership among WVU Extension Service, the state Commission for National and Community Service, the state Department of Education and the Arts, the state Department of Education and numerous partners at the local level.

Sites are located in rural towns with fewer than 10,000 people and small towns with populations between 10,000 and 50,000.

For more information on WVU Extension Services Energy Express program, go to http://www.energyexpress.wvu.edu/ .