Kids Cafe Program

Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin operates a Kids Cafe Program in partnership with neighborhood-based organizations to meet the needs of low-income children. Our program provides free meals and snacks to at least 1,500 children facing hunger each month through eight Dane County sites.

Tailored individual neighborhood needs, Second Harvest Foodbank’s Kids Cafes also offer a safe place where children can participate in nutrition education and academic and recreational activities.

From July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011, Second Harvest Foodbank's Kids Cafes have provided more than 116,000 meals, almost 35,000 snacks and over 700 hours of nutrition education to children.

Second Harvest Foodbank thanks our fiscal year 2012 donors who restricted their support to the Kids Cafe Program:

• All-City Swim Meet
• Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
• Madison Investment Advisors
• Madison Rotary Foundation
• Nimick Forbesway Foundation
• Wall Family Enterprise

Support Second Harvest Foodbank's Kids Cafe Program.

KIDS CAFE SITES

Boys and Girls Club of Dane County - Allied Drive Allied Drive Kids Cafe opened in July 2006 and during the school year, serves one daily hot meal, five days a week to 347 kids mostly in elementary and middle school. During the summer months, 282 kids receive 1 daily hot meal, five days a week.

Boys and Girls Club of Dane County - Taft Street Taft Street Kids Cafe opened in March 2000. During the school year, it provides one daily hot meal, six days a week to 296 kids ranging in age from elementary to high school. During the summer, 145 children are served one daily hot meals, five days a week.

East Madison Community Center Launched in November 2009, this Kids Cafe site provides one daily after-school snack and meal, six days a week to 107 children during the school year. During the summer, 101 children will be served one snack and meal six days each week.

Goodman Community Center Launched in June 2000, this site provides four daily meals, five days per week to 334 children when school is in session. During the summer, 289 kids receive three daily meals, five days a week. Participants range in age from preschool to high school.

Lussier Community Education Center Launched in late June 2010, this Kids Cafe site provides breakfast in the summer to 46 children three days a week. During the school year, they serve dinner to 70 kids.

Nehemiah Development Corporation Second Harvest opened the area's first Kids Cafe with Nehemiah Development Corporation in June 1999. During the school year, the program serves one daily meal, six meals a week to 127 mostly middle school-age children. During the summer, 62 kids participate.

Salvation Army Darbo Drive Community Center The program, which began in July 2004, provides one daily meal, five days a week for kids primarily in elementary school. 56 children participate during the school year and 59 during the summer.

Vera Court Neighborhood Center Vera Court Kids Cafe started in June 2001. During the school year, one daily meal is served to 69 mostly elementary school children three times each week, with healthy snacks provided five days a week. During the summer program, 69 children receive one daily meal and snack three days a week.

Interested in having your child participate in a Kids Cafe Program? Participants are enrolled by the host site, so please contact the partner agency most convenient to you for more information.