This summer, our annual Kids Summer Food Program continued its vital mission of ensuring that children in need across Northeast Kansas receive healthy meals while school is out of session. Thanks to the incredible efforts of 275 volunteers, three interns and our Community Engagement team, this year’s program was a huge success, serving 24,917 meals across 19 different sites.
The program, which provides shelf-stable lunches to children during the summer months when school meals are not available, plays a large role in combating food insecurity in our 21-county service area. But the program’s impact goes beyond just providing food—it fosters connections and a sense of community among the children and families it serves.
Staff and volunteers facilitate the program at both local and rural sites. They are responsible for setting up, distributing meals, tracking meal counts and ensuring that every child who needed a meal received one.
“Volunteers are critical to this program and truly serve as the face of Kids Summer Food,” said Camille Pickhinke, Director of Community Engagement.
In addition to a large number of volunteers, this year saw the most interns ever involved in the program. Three interns took on a wide range of responsibilities, from coordinating and operating the meal sites to managing paperwork and assisting with deliveries and site reviews.
One intern shared a memorable moment from this summer that highlights the program’s impact. A young boy, who frequently visited one of the meal sites alone, was shy but slowly opened up over the weeks he visited the meal site. As he grew more comfortable, he began to engage in conversations with the volunteers.
“This program isn’t just about serving lunches, but also fostering connections, recognizing the dignity of every child, and making them feel seen, known and loved,” said Cydney Willenbring, Kids Summer Food Intern.
The success of this year’s Kids Summer Food Program would not have been possible without the support of our volunteers and interns. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of thousands of children this summer!
