The Salvation Army of Racine, Racine Police Department Partner Up For New Feeding Program
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The Salvation Army of Racine, Racine Police Department Partner Up For New Feeding Program
Healthy Kids Diner to launch May 28
RACINE - Thirty percent of children that live in Racine are living in poverty.
To help combat childhood hunger, The Salvation Army of Racine and the Racine Police Department are joining together to create a new program: Healthy Kids Diner.
The year-round program, which will provide a nutritious dinner for any child in need, will launch on Tuesday, May 28, at the following locations:
- Noon on Sundays. 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: The Salvation Army of Racine, 1901 Washington Ave., Racine.
- 5 p.m. Tuesdays: Villa St. COP House, 1146 Villa St., Racine
- 5 p.m. Wednesdays: 16th St. COP House, 1900 16th St., Racine
- 5 p.m. Thursdays: Geneva St. COP House, 1140 Geneva St., Racine
"For children who are facing hardships in their communities and their families, these meal sites will provide an opportunity to be just a kid and to feel loved," said Major Ken Nicolai, a Corps Officer at The Salvation Army of Racine. "We’ll give these kids a good meal, but we also try to offer opportunities for them to have fun and get mentored by the police.”
Since many of the children live in areas where fresh produce is not available, the program will focus on including those new foods in the meals.
“Sometimes this will be the only ‘homemade’ meal the kids will have,” Nicolai said.
Meals will range from chicken, to meatballs, to spaghetti, to pizza, to macaroni and cheese. All meals will meet the USDA recommended nutrition allowance for children, and will include vegetables and fruits.
"The Racine Police Department Community Policing Program has been in existence for 26 years," said Lt. Jessie Metoyer, the Racine Police Department Community Policing Commander. "Partnering with The Salvation Army to connect with the youth in our neighborhoods is a perfect match. We are excited to have this opportunity to break bread with the children we serve and to develop relationships that will have a lasting impact.”
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (Human NeedsIndex.org).