Keeping tummies full, even on the weekends, is the goal of a community program that has served more than 560 hungry kids in the Lakes area. Three week ago, the schools were closing and businesses were changing the how they operate and the concern of how young people would fare became an issue in the community.
The Baxter Cafe staff have teamed up with The Raboin And Francis Law Firm, Pan-O-Gold Bakery and Hubbard Radio to make sure there was a resource to help keep these kids fed.
Parents of kids 18 and under are invited to call the Baxter Cafe between 8:00 and 10:30 on Saturday mornings to reserve their children’s lunches for the weekend. Lunches can then be picked up between 11:30 and 12:30 on Saturdays. Lunches will consist of a sandwich together with fruit and veggies and a treat. John Raboin of Raboin and Francis will be helping to answer phones and assisting with general organization and The Pan-o-Gold bakery will supply all the buns.
This past weekend more youth were served meals that the past two weekends combined, according to the Facebook post from Raboin and Francis Law Firm:
“Wow! 115 hungry kids served last weekend, 292 this weekend. Cars were lined up down the block. The volunteer team is exhausted, but we feel pretty good about how the word is getting out. Special thanks to The Crossing Arts and Brainerd American Legion who teamed up to donate 200 creativity kits, and Hubbard Radio who broadcast live from The Baxter Cafe this morning. And, we’ve decided upon a name for our little program….Weekend Full Bellies. what do you think?…:) As always, thanks to all of you who are actively sharing our updates.”
https://www.facebook.com/Raboinlaw/posts/3124721500892805
In addition to the lunches this past weekend, kids under 14 also received “Creativity Kits” along with their free lunches. The creativity kits were donated by The Crossing Arts and their co sponsor The Brainerd American Legion.
Bill Satre interviewed the organizers this Saturday morning on B93.3:
Kevin and Marilyn Stumpf at The Baxter Cafe will provide free weekend lunches to area children while schools remain closed. To have your family included, call them on Saturday between 8 and 10:30 am at 218-829-1739.