Kids Cafe
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Kids Cafe provides nutritious food after school to hungry children in a safe, nurturing, and easily accessible environment. The food is served in conjunction with nutrition education, tutoring and mentoring programs. During the school months, an after-school snack is provided and during the summer months, a hot lunch
is provided.
Originated in 1993 as a program of America’s Second Harvest, Kids Cafe is one of the nation’s largest free meal and nutrition programs for children. At this time, there are more than 1,000 Kids Cafes across the country.
The need
Hunger—even in its mildest form—affects more than just children’s bodies. Hunger affects a child’s learning capacity, behavior and their overall health status. Yet even with federally funded school meal programs, many children fall between the cracks and may not eat an evening meal. Our community has an alarming number of children who are at risk of hunger. Children shouldn’t have to worry about where or when they will have their next nutritious snack or meal. Kids Cafe aims to improve the overall well-being our community’s most vulnerable children. The entire community benefits from healthier, happier, more productive children.
How we work
The Kids Cafe program:
- Provides nutritious meals and snacks to children in need.
- Supplements food with mentoring, tutoring, nutrition education, and fitness activities.
- Locates sites within easy access to children in need.
- Conducts activities within safe sites, under the supervision of trustworthy staff.
- Supports childhood socialization activities by involving community and family members.
