Weekend Food
for
Preschoolers in Need
Marcella Foundation funds will allow Bread & Broth to pilot a weekend food backpack program for preschool kids in need in South Lake Tahoe serving over 70 kids each weekend for a year.
“Until now, there has been no free weekend food program that supports preschool age children during the school year. Our greatest impact will be teachers and parents reporting that these children are more focused and ready to learn. Long term impacts include more preparedness for elementary school and maximum physical and academic development.”
— Bread & Broth
About the Pilot Program
This project will provide weekend food bags for approximately 70 children (ages 18 months-age 5) at five local child care centers serving low-income families. These weekend food bags will contain seven single-serving, toddler-friendly, single serving meals (3 dinners, 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches) along with healthy snacks and fresh fruit.
What’s the need?
Our B&B 4 Kids program began eight years ago, providing school age children access to nutritious food over the weekend and during the summer. What excites us most about this Pilot Program is to be able to support toddler and pre-school age children at an age where we know from research is the time for optimal brain development. We want our tots to come to preschool each Monday morning “classroom ready” after a weekend of being well fed.
How can I help?
We will need volunteers to pack and then deliver the food bags to the various preschool sites each Thursday afternoon. Bread & Broth 4 Kids also holds two food donation fundraisers each year at Grocery Outlet where donated food is collected for the various programs.
Christy Slocum, Co-chairperson of the B&B 4 Kids Program
Since 1989, Bread & Broth’s mission for the Lake Tahoe South Shore community has been to provide access to nutritious food to those facing food insecurity. With our Monday Meal and Second Serving programs, we have been able to provide hot, nutritious meals and bags of food to take home. Our dinner guests include those in our community facing financial difficulties, seniors, veterans, families, those dealing with physical or mental challenges, the homeless, and others needing a hot meal and the comfort of sharing a meal with others. Our B&B 4 Kids program began eight years ago, providing school age children access to nutritious food over the weekend and during the summer. What excites us most about this program is to be able to support toddler and pre-school age children at an age where we know from research is the time for optimal brain development. We want our tots to come to preschool each Monday morning “classroom ready” after a weekend of being well fed.