Kids Café

As I travel our great state, the generosity of Missourians never ceases to astound me. Many communities across Missouri have identified a need or a problem and realizing that government does not have the capacity to solve everything, the individuals in these communities have shown great ingenuity and generosity in creating a solution. I recently kicked off my new initiative, "Show Me Solutions" aimed at highlighting some of these charitable organizations. Each month I will be visiting a different charitable organization around the state and share with Missourians the kindness of some of their neighbors.

I chose to kick off Show Me Solutions at the Kids Café in my hometown of Springfield; their program is one that is demonstrative of the very generosity that Show Me Solutions wishes to emphasize. Citizens of Southwest Missouri noticed that there are many children who often times go home and will not receive a warm meal. Consequently, Kids Café, an after school meal program run by the Ozarks Food Harvest was created. Children of Southwest Missouri arrive at one of sixteen locations across the Ozarks every weekday after school. Children first receive a healthy snack and then move onto various activities such as working on their homework (tutors and mentors are available). Later children receive a well-balanced meal for dinner. Not only are children getting the nutrition their body needs as well as being productive and finishing homework, but they are also learning the importance of volunteering. Children must also volunteer to be a part of the program. Whether it is helping to prepare meals, serving food, or cleaning up afterwards, each child contributes their part.

Teaching our youth the importance of quality nutritious foods and helping out their community makes for healthy and responsible adults. I am honored to draw attention to such a noble program. To learn more about the Kids Café and the other Ozark Food Harvest programs you can help visit their website at www.ozarksfoodharvest.org.

See photos from this event stored in the Photo Gallery.