Kids Cafe
Kids Cafe Mission
To provide meals to children in an environment that is safe, accessible, and convenient
Goals
- To feed children at risk of hunger
- To provide nutrition education to children
- To educate the community about the perils of childhood hunger
What is Kids Cafe?
Kids Cafe is a program of Feeding America and is now the largest charitable meal service of its kind. Kids Cafe began in Savannah, GA after a police officer caught two young children stealing food from a housing project's community center. There are more than 1,600 Kids Cafe sites serving over 12 million meals each year to children in 42 states and Washington D.C.
Locally, Kids Cafe welcomes any child who is in need of a nutritious meal. Last fiscal year, Kids Cafe provided more than 35,000 meals and snacks to children in Black Hawk County. Cafe participants can join in all activities or just come for the meal.
If you know of a family or child that can benefit from attending the Kids Cafe, please share this information with them and encourage them to stop by any of our sites. There are no fees to participate. Click here for signs that a child is chronically hungry.
Kids Cafe Sites
| The Salvation Army |
207 Logan Ave.
Waterloo |
Mon. - Fri.
Doors open at 3 p.m.
Dinner at 5:30 p.m. |
| Boys & Girls Club |
515 Line St.
Waterloo |
Mon. - Fri.
Dinner 5 - 7 p.m. |
| EPI Deery Center |
3675 University Ave.
Waterloo |
Mon. - Fri.
Snack at 3 p.m.
Dinner at 5 p.m. |
| Evansdale Boys and Girls Club |
3574 Lafayette
Evansdale |
Mon. - Fri.
Snack at 3:30 p.m.
Dinner at 5:30 p.m. |
| North Cedar |
2419 Fern Ave.
Cedar Falls |
Mon. - Fri.
Snack at 3:45 p.m. |
What activities are provided at Kids Cafe?
One of our goals of Kids Cafe is to provide nutrition education to children. Every month we provide a minimum of one hour of nutrition education at each Kids Cafe site. We do this through Iowa Nutrition Network's social marketing campaign Pick a Better SnackTM and ACT. Pick a Better SnackTM encourages fruit vegetable choices for snacks. The "ACT" represents the importance of daily physical activity. For more information visit the Iowa Department of Public Health web site.
Visit choosemyplate.gov for personalized eating plans and interactive tools to help you plan and assess your food choices and physical activity.
How can I help?
There are always opportunities available for volunteers and internships. At Kids Cafe, we encourage others to become positive and consistent figures in the lives of youth. Monetary donations, fundraisers, and food drives are always welcome.
If you would like to donate to the program, below is a list of items we need.
Crayons |
Markers |
Large Tupperware/plastic containers |
Poster board |
Glue stick/white glue |
Disposable cups |
Kid friendly books (about food) |
Tin Foil |
|
More Information
If you would like to make a donation or have additional questions or comments, please contact Ben Carlson at 319-235-0507 ext. 116 or by email at bcarlson@feedingamerica.org.
Click here for our recommended reading list for kids.