Many children in low-income families do not receive well-balanced evening meals because their caregivers work late hours or cannot afford nutritious food. Children require appropriate nutrition in order to develop properly and perform well in school.
Kids Cafe, an official program of Feeding America, serves as a direct partnership between the Capital Area Food Bank and existing after-school programs. There are more than 1,600 locally operated Kids Cafes across the nation. In FY2011, CAFB served more than 33,500 meals to an average of 3,300 children per month.
Kids Cafes are safe, nurturing places where neighborhood children can go after school and receive a hot dinner, as well as help with homework from caring individuals. Kids Cafe sites are chosen based on the following criteria:
Siblings are also invited to Kids Cafes. And, by volunteering for the program, parents and guardians can dine with their children. This helps strengthen communities, as families and friends come together to share a meal.
Foundation and corporate financial contributions and grants support Kids Cafe. Additionally, CAFB partners with local food manufacturers to provide "kid-appropriate" foods.
CAFB seeks interested and qualified non-profit community-based organizations to host and conduct a Kids Cafe program. Contact Jennifer Taylor at jtaylor@austinfoodbank.org for more information.
Continuing and long-term financial support can help CAFB open additional Kids Cafes and to sustain the program. Funding is especially needed for staff and equipment. Volunteer tutors and food servers, as well as appropriate food donations, are also needed for each site.
If you are interested in sponsoring this or another CAFB program, please fill out the form below.
