The local Salvation Army took over the summer feeding of kids in 2022 when a U.S. Department of Agriculture program was defunded for drive-through pick up and it limited access to meals at centralized sites. The community is helping, and meals are expected to be served to 450 to 530 kids within the first two weeks of this summer’s program. Meals were to begin being distributed by June 13.
“We have the community stepping in to help and we are selling bracelets, using grants and donations to help fund the food for kids,” said Terri Watson, local Salvation Chairperson. “It is unrealistic to have parents come to one location (centralized site) when Benton County is so spread out. Some of the families would have to choose whether to use gas for going to work or for picking up meals. We have about 30 ladies who help put meals together. There is also help from the Ministerial Alliance, other organizations, and neighborhoods. Cars from churches around the county pick up meals and deliver them to neighborhoods in their area. There is one couple who picks up for their own neighborhood and some recipients of meals drop by the Salvation Army office.”
Watson said that pickup for the food is once a week from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Food is “kid friendly” and easy to microwave. Meals include three breakfasts and five lunches of fresh vegetables, milk, individually wrapped meals, cereals and snacks. There are fruits, pizzas, corn dogs, hot dogs and burritos. Fresh foods are ordered each week for the meals.
“Some of the communities in the county that we serve are two in Lincoln, Honeybear, Cole Camp, Edwards, Fristoe, Warsaw, Lincoln, Central heights and smaller subdivisions,” said Watson. “Some of the volunteers helping with feeding the kids this summer are Tracy Lambeth Barton, Cheryl Elliott, Kathryn Sullins, Brandy Fajen and Victoria McColm who has stepped up to lead the Kids Meals team.”
Terri Watson was in the Salvation Army in Kansas for 10 years before moving to Benton County. She took a hiatus before beginning her local work four years ago.
“We are one of the first Salvation Army locations to have an office and we have now moved to another location at 1872 Commercial Street,” said Watson. “The old space was just one room. We now have offices, windows, a conference room and room for volunteers. It is also safer. We share with other agencies to meet the needs of all families. Last year we saw over 600 families helping them to do things like reading mail, filling out papers, helping them understand things, getting them stamps and providing gas for them to get to their first week of work.”
Donations and volunteers are always welcome. Donations can be sent to the Warsaw Benton County Service Unit Extension, at 1872 Commercial Street, Warsaw, or to P.O. Box 1432.
