Food Bank summer feeding program reaches 600 plus kids
Hundreds of kids are flocking to mid-Missouri parks for a free lunch provided by the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.
It has been just over a month since ABC 17 News worked with the food bank for a special report.
We told you the food bank was looking for volunteers, including some people to help with the summer feeding program.
The program is more than half over and organizers said this year has been one of the best as far as volunteers go.
“So far in our first four weeks, we’ve served about 600 kids and we expect to do at least 600 more,” said Stacey Brown, the coordinator for the program.
She said it’s reaching more kids than in years past.
“We have more sites this year and we’re also serving more kids so far, so it’s an overall improvement compared to what we’ve done in the past,” Brown said.
In Columbia, volunteers gather at five locations from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday:
Bear Creek Park • 1402 Elleta Blvd.
Oakland Park • 1900 Blue Ridge Rd.
Indian Hills Park • 5009 Aztec Rd.
Fire Station #1 • 5901 E. St. Charles Rd.
Again Street Park • 1200 Again St.
Although this has been one of the best years yet, Brown said they’re always looking for volunteers because the program is so important.
“It’s important because whenever school ends, and school lunches stop, a lot of kids lose the opportunity to get lunches during the day time, so we want to be there to fill that gap and make sure they have something nutritious to eat,” Brown said.
The program goes until August 16.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the food bank can call 573-474-1020 for more information.
