Collaborative Efforts Help Kids, Build Stronger Communities

Winston-Salem, NC - January 28, 2009 - Ribbon cutting ceremonies launched the openings of two Second Harvest Food Bank programs aimed at addressing childhood hunger in January.

The opening of The Salvation Army of Greensboro Center of Hope Kids Cafe was celebrated on January 13 at Ray Warren Homes in Greensboro. A program of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC’s national network, Kids Cafes provide children at risk of hunger an evening meal, tutoring and enrichment activities three nights a week throughout the year in a safe and nurturing environment.

This is the tenth Kids Cafe opened by the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, which serves Guilford and 17 other counties, from Boone to Burlington. This is also the third Guilford County Kids Cafe. Nationwide there are more than 1,300 Kids Cafe sites serving youth at risk of hunger.

As with all Kids Cafes, this Greensboro Kids Cafe site is a collaborative community effort.  Partners for this newest site include The Salvation Army of Greensboro Center of Hope, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greensboro, The Future Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC.

On January 26, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, Gamewell United Methodist Church and Gamewell Elementary School, announced the launch of the BackPack Program in Caldwell County. The BackPack Program, a program of Feeding America, aims to address childhood hunger in rural communities by providing elementary school children at risk of hunger with backpacks full of nutritious, kid-friendly foods to take home over the weekends during the school year.

This is the 10th BackPack Program Second Harvest Food Bank has opened in its service area across Northwest NC. Other programs in operation are located in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Davidson (2 programs), Iredell, Rockingham, Stokes and Surry Counties.