DAVENPORT, IOWA (April 27, 2019) — Scott County Supervisor Ken Croken announced today his newly-established child-nutrition program will offer its third meal on Saturday, April 27, 12:30PM, at Jefferson Elementary School, 1027 North Marquette Street, in Davenport. The program is called “Kids Eat Free” and was organized in collaboration with the Davenport Schools Foundation. The mission of “Kids East Free” is to provide a weekend-meal to low-income school-children who would otherwise go without a healthy meal when schools are closed.
In making the announcement, Croken said, “The public response to this initiative has been overwhelming. People have donated money, businesses have donated food; and, people have donated time to serve the food,” he said. “This month the good people at Lunardi’s Restaurant will provide a spaghetti dinner, complete with salad and bread. And, as a special treat, our friends at Village Inn have donated pies!” Croken reports that “Kids Eat Free” has served about 400 meals since its inception. “In addition to those who attend the meal-site at the Jefferson School, we also package 'left-overs' for families to enjoy later in the weekend. Nothing goes to waste,” he noted. Joining the team of volunteers this month is newly-declared Davenport mayoral-candidate and Fifth-Ward Alderwoman Rita Rawson.
According to Croken, the program is NOT limited to ‘Title I’ (low-income) schoolchildren at Jefferson School. All kids and families who need help are welcome. “We don’t ask questions and we don’t restrict participation,” Croken added. “The only limitation we have is the amount of food available. We’ve been preparing for 200 and, so far, we’ve not had to turn away anyone.” Croken hopes to enlist other business and community support to expand the “Kids Eat Free” meal program. “With enough support, I hope to offer a weekly meal during the summer months when schools are closed on Fridays as well as Saturdays and Sundays. Otherwise, these kids will have a three-day separation from school-based nutrition-programs,” Croken concluded. To learn more about “Kids Eat Free”; provide financial support; and/or, volunteer to help: contact Supervisor Ken Croken directly by phone at 563/940-8439 or by e-mail at Ken.Croken@scottcountyiowa.com.
