Programs

Kids Café

The FoodBank’s Culinary Training Program’s trainees provide 100 daily hot meals for children at an after school program in Asbury Park – a Kids Cafe – at the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County.

Hungry children tend to get more illnesses, are absent from school more often, and are less able to concentrate or do well in school. Even when food is available at home, when both parents or single parents are working, time for early evening food preparation, child care and homework help is limited. The result is a cycle of hunger, low academic achievement, low wage jobs and poverty.

A hot meal and homework help within the safe and nurturing environment of an after school program improves a child’s study habits, self-esteem and the motivation to succeed in school. The program breaks the cycle of poverty by increasing attendance at the after school program – improving nutrition, concentration and academic achievement for at-risk children.