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 up to 1,700 children facing hunger each month through eight Dane County sites.

Tailored to 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, 2011-June 30, 2012, Second Harvest Foodbank's Kids Cafes provided more than 120,000 meals, over 58,000 snacks and nearly 1,200 hours of nutrition education to children.

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 200 kids mostly in elementary and middle school. During the summer months, 150 kids receive a healthy snack, 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 254 kids ranging in age from elementary to high school. During the summer, 236 children are served a snack, 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 158 children during the school year. During the summer, 163 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 313 children when school is in session. During the summer, 301 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 58 children three days a week. During the school year, they serve dinner to 60 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, three days a week to 37 mostly middle school-age children. During the summer, two meals and a snack are provided five days a week.

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. 59 children participate during both the school year and summer months.

Vera Court Neighborhood Center Vera Court Kids Cafe started in June 2001. During the school year, one daily meal is served to 75 mostly elementary school children three times each week, with healthy snacks provided five days a week. During the summer program, 75 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.