Feeding the Kids

April 29, 2015

This is what I made for the kids to eat yesterday after school. Queso, salsa and cowboy caviar....it was a big hit. These kids are teenagers and they sure can eat. I have a real dilemma though.

The program ends next week. There is no program for 5 weeks and then the summer program begins. However, the summer program has four times the number of kids in it which makes it prohibitive for me to provide food. Cooking for these kids is entirely different than cooking for the shelter. The shelter had a kitchen, so when I took large quantities of food to them, they were able to keep it warm. The food for the kids has to be ready to serve when it arrives.

Yesterday, one of the kids told one of the adults that no matter how bad his day is going, he looks forward to coming to the center to have something good and healthy to eat. What am I going to do?

Comments

Valerie said…

Can you get help (financial and otherwise) from a food bank? Is there a foundation that could subsidize your efforts? Would local grocery store be willing to donate? I admire your efforts on behalf of these kids; I'm sure there are people in your area who would step up and help if they are asked. Good luck!

April 29, 2015 at 5:31 AM

Mary said…

They are going to miss your delicious food. Maybe you could do two days, (Tuesday and Thursday ) just do a cold speciality. Make it a staple like her Sunday is always pizza at my house ...you get the idea. They will appreciate anything you do. I agree with Valerie, ask for a bit of help too.

April 29, 2015 at 6:11 AM

Nellie said…

You are doing such good work! How many children are you serving now? Will the summer push the number to 100? This is hard on your home ovens/stoves. Is this a United Way agency? Are there churches that might be able to give some assistance? There is a summer backpack program in some of the schools here. Might that be a new direction?

April 29, 2015 at 7:29 AM

Leanna said…

I would be crying if I was one of those kids.

April 29, 2015 at 7:37 AM

Dee said…

Can you fix things like the cowboy caviar and send chips? Something like that - kids love that kind of food. Maybe those tortilla rolls. I am sure you will come up with some idea to keep it going.

April 29, 2015 at 9:35 AM

TARYTERRE said…

Do they have a fridge? Summer food usually can be served cold or room temperature. You'd have to be very creative, though. Sounds like you need more help. Raising awareness in the community might bring out more volunteers or donations to get what is needed. GOOD LUCK.

April 29, 2015 at 10:02 AM

Anonymous said…

I really have nothing to add to what the others already said, cold food during summers works great, like different pasta salads. But then we have the numbers of kids to add to the equation. I do hope You can solve it somehow!

I like Bob Hotdogs stand :-) I'm not sure about having a hotdog that early, well perhaps if I was on my way home from a party :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.

April 29, 2015 at 10:29 AM

kymber said…

jaz - i hope that you understand that what i say is from the heart. you cannot keep doing this by yourself. i know that your heart and your means can do this for 5,000 kids but you simply cannot physically shop and then prepare the food all on your own. you need help. you have to find an organization around your area that is willing to help you - physically, financially and spiritually. i know that you will find a way because it means so much to you...and it means so much to the kids. i know that you will figure this out...but it is now time that you reach out and get some help. you cannot save the world by yourself...but you have proven that you can make some serious change in the lives that those who really need it...you have proven this beyond the shadow of any doubt!

again, i thank you on behalf of all of these kids whose lives you are improving. based on everything i have read on your blog, i think that your kids think you are a wonderful mother. but i think you are a wonderful "earth mother" based on all that you do for your neighbours and friends, and what you do for these kids that you feed. there are women throughout history that are glad to include you in their fold. you are an incredible inspiration! and a true witch!

April 29, 2015 at 12:09 PM

Guillaume said…

Your work is commendable. I agree with Kymber, you cannot do it yourself, you need help from whatever charity or church (although I don't like churches myself) or something.

April 29, 2015 at 1:49 PM

sandra said…

Kymber has it right on all fronts ;]!!! You may be like myself and don't like relying on other people for help but this is a big task! Help is unfortunately going to be needed in one form or another. Ideas on food would be more dessert type foods, cold veggies with dip.BIG POTS of soup that would be fine just warm or even cold.Sorry,thats all I got :[

April 29, 2015 at 3:03 PM

Jim said…

Oh my, Joyce! That is a dilemma. Especially hearing what that child said.
Hope you figure something out that makes sense for you at this time. You can only do what you can do.

April 29, 2015 at 3:25 PM

Barb said…

It all looks wonderful. I wish I had a good idea for you!

April 29, 2015 at 5:50 PM

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said…

I thought that the schools provided on meal a day for the children. Especially for schools in low income area's. You have done more than any of us out here would be able to do already. The problem is when you start something like that, they come to depend on it. What one of the kids said to one of the adults ...is exactly true.
Schools don't provide the kind of food you have given them.. Children especially count on things like that.
I know your heart is in the right place..as it always is, and we would all like to feed the world but we can't. I wish I had a suggestion that would help, but I don't. There may be others who can afford to help but there are very few out there that can cook like you in such quanities, or would even want to,
You are one in a million Joyce, but you cannot do it all. Wish I had an answer.

April 29, 2015 at 10:27 PM

Craig said…

Some kind of rota or lottery which, if the kids "win" they get to have the special treat of your lunch on that day. The problem with that is that it excludes most of them. But I can't think of a way around it.

April 29, 2015 at 11:49 PM

fullnovembermoon said…

I wonder if you might contact the local farmers market for produce donations. Make it a coordinated effort with the program the kids go to where they could meet the people at the market, understand where healthy food comes from. Is there a local organization that teaches about food deserts? I think it is called Platform Breathe. They might be able to provide assistance in getting the kids healthy foods during the summer as part of an educational program. You want to help the kids its just a larger job than one person can do but there are options hopefully to accommodate more kids without running you ragged.

April 30, 2015 at 12:56 AM