With the holidays over, children across the Food Bank’s 34-county service area will return to school – many to spend their last few months preparing for important end-of-grade testing. Many children will look forward to going to a beloved activity or to spending time with friends. But many children look forward to going back to two meals a day and possibly the support of an after-school program that can provide even more.
When you arrive at Avent Ferry United Methodist Church in Raleigh on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, you will find Denise Simmons setting up for an after-school program for middle school children called Kids Cafe.
Since 2002, the Food Bank has partnered with community organizations like Avent Ferry to provide children with a safe place and a hot meal after school, along with mentoring, tutoring, and physical activity. Simmons, the Site Director at Avent Ferry, originally hails from New Jersey and has an extensive background working with children – including time as a science teacher and homeschooling her own children.
“One of the things that make your job enjoyable is the fact that people do appreciate what you do,” said Simmons when asked about the best part of the role.
With 1 in 6 children in the Food Bank’s 34-county service area living in food-insecure households, programs like Kids Cafe are essential as they address hunger, child development, and educational achievement. The Food Bank currently operates 27 Kids Cafe Programs along with several other programs that provide children with access to food and other resources.
As rising costs continue to force families to make difficult choices, the Food Bank will be there to support our friends and neighbors with your help. For more information about our work visit foodbankcenc.org/childrensprograms
