Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen Summer Feeding Program Kicks Off June 1
The summer months can be especially challenging for children who are at risk of hunger. Approximately 43% of children in Nebraska receive free or reduced-fee lunches at school, and that percentage can soar as high as 90%, depending on the circumstances. Once kids are out of school for summer break, access to dependable sources of nutritious food plummets, which is why Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen is such an important program in the community.
This year, Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen will run from June 1 through August 5, providing free, hot, nutritious lunches to children 18 years of age and younger at six locations around the Omaha metro, including local libraries and apartment complexes. Serving times will vary by location; click HERE for a complete schedule.
Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen volunteers serve meals from Salvation Army food trucks – called canteens. Last summer, the program served nearly 17,000 lunches to kids and teens in the metro area.
“On the days when I can’t provide a meal for my son, it’s nice to have this option,” said Michelle Steward, who visited the Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen canteen with her son at Chandler Pointe Apartments in Bellevue last summer. “This program really helps the community.”
Volunteers are still needed to help distribute the meals this summer. Each volunteer will be part of a team that will make three stops along a designated route, serving meals to children in the area.
“We engage with the kids while we serve them,” said volunteer Renate Keilbach. “The kids love it. A lot of them don’t have many people to talk to, so it’s a good opportunity to connect with them.”
For more information about volunteering for Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen, call 402-898-6000 or visit our volunteer website.