Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen Kicks Summertime Hunger to the Curb
With inflation making headlines across the nation and the cost of groceries, gas and other necessities skyrocketing, many families are struggling more than ever to make ends meet. Summertime can be particularly hard on the budget, as many children and teens who are ordinarily eligible for free or reduced-priced lunches during the school year are eating more meals at home.
That’s why Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen – The Salvation Army’s summer mobile food program -- is so critical. Officials plan to serve more than 17,000 lunches to children ages preschool through 18 throughout the Omaha metro during the program’s June 1-August 5 timeline – ensuring peace of mind for parents and caregivers.
On a recent afternoon, as the temperature soared past 100 degrees in the metro, more than 50 young children and teens lined up at The Salvation Army’s food truck outside Washington Library in north Omaha to receive lunch and a cold beverage. At the Bellevue Public Library stop on the same day, the lunch line was more than 100 children deep.
Parents like Matthew Samuels, a father of three in Bellevue, appreciate both the convenience and the social benefits of Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen, which makes stops at six locations across the city.
“This gives the kids an opportunity to get out of the house and have a whole, healthy meal,” said Samuels. “It’s a good environment. They get to see a lot of their friends outside of school and meet some new ones too.”
Volunteers are still needed to help distribute Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen lunches 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.
For more information about volunteering for Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen, call 402-898-6000 or visit our volunteer website.