This national after-school program was created by Feeding America™ and is administered locally by the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. It is a place where children ages 4 through 18 can go to receive free, nutritious evening meals in a safe, supportive environment. Nineteen Kids Cafes are currently operating, conveniently located in low-income neighborhoods so participating children can walk or bicycle to these sites after school.
In fiscal year 2011 we served 261,282 nutritionally balanced meals to 3,991 youth through this program.
There are two ways you can help the Kids Cafe Program:
Donate money:
So the Foodbank can purchase foods needed to provide balanced meals and support the operation of the Kids Cafe program. Monetary donations can be made online or mail contributions to:
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia
*Attention Kids Cafe
P.O. Box 1940
Norfolk, Virginia 23501
Donate food:
Top Items Needed:
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Fruit (#10 Cans): Applesauce, Peaches, Tropical Fruit, Fruit Cocktail, Pineapple, Pears, Mandarin Oranges
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Vegetables (#10 Cans): Green Beans, Sweet Peas, Whole White Potatoes, Corn, Pork & Beans, Baked Beans, Carrots, Mixed Vegetables
The Foodbank’s Kids Cafes feed between 20 & 175 children a day. For this reason, #10 bulk-sized cans are appropriate. For the cook at our largest site – it's the difference between opening 7 #10 cans or 50 household size. Bulk cans are also less expensive. So please, when you're thinking of donating food for a Kids Cafe, keep this in mind.
For more information, please contact Debbie Kleeger, Childhood Nutrition Manager at 757-314-4555 or dkleeger@foodbankonline.org or Whitney Weaver, Childhood Nutrition Assistant at 757-314-4549 or wweaver@foodbankonline.org
If you are interested in helping the Kids Cafe Program by holding a #10 can food drive, please contact Abby Weber, Food and Fund Drive Coordinator at 757-314-4575 or abigailweber@foodbankonline.org