For the last few summers, Dejah Flowers and her siblings have been stepping out of the sweltering heat and into a small church in South Melbourne for a chance to fire up their imaginations.
The engagement came, however, not with televisions, or video games, but with that old-fashioned method of reading a free book, as part of the longstanding Community Youth Read and Feed program.
Even then, the books came with conversation and big plates of hot food, such as smothered chicken, green beans, a warm roll and creamy servings of macaroni and cheese.
“They give you big portions and the food is always good,” said Flowers, who, with her brother and sister, all 18, graduated Palm Bay High School with honors.
“We’re triplets. My mom is a single parent with six kids and during the summer we wouldn’t have that much food in the house. People knew our struggles. This program has really been helpful for us,” Flowers said.
More: Stop on red: Palm Shores awareness event emphasizes driving safety ahead of school year
The program, which began in 2008, will end Saturday with a special celebration at the Evans Center in south Melbourne.
Melbourne and Palm Bay police provided money from seized funds to run the program and to augment private donations, organizers said.
Saturday's celebration will be a drive-in event, with food, books, and groceries being provided for families.
"We have graduates from four high schools who will come out and say 'thank you,' to everyone for providing the program," said Sandra Pelham, a longtime community activist and one of the program organizers.
The Read and Feed program operated out of three south Melbourne churches, providing food and books for up to 200 youths each day, using donations for out-of-pocket purchases.
"A lot of these children don't have food during the summer because school is out. We come out and try to provide them with books and a meal," Pelham said.
It was founded to offset the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods where some parents struggled to find food for children. It was combined with the vision of volunteers like Pelham, who tapped United Way and other groups for assistance.
More: Wanted: Owner of memorial bracelet found at Paradise Beach honoring two fallen U.S. troops
"People don't believe it, but there is hunger right here in Melbourne," Pelham said.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Pelham said many of the families — including those struggling with unemployment because of the virus — have been able to get more fresh fruit thanks to programs passing out groceries with fresh fruit and vegetables.
"But we still feel a need. We also provide children with books to read. That's something they need, too," Pelham said.
Flowers and her siblings plan to attend the Saturday event to show appreciation.
"Everybody was really, really sweet," said Flowers, who is heading to college to study pre-med.
"It was really something we looked forward to."
J.D. Gallop is a Criminal Justice/Breaking News Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jdgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.
"feed" - Google News
August 07, 2020 at 03:55AM
https://ift.tt/3gAsTPt
Read and Feed program provided more than nourishment, south Melbourne triplets say - Florida Today
"feed" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2z3xEQN
https://ift.tt/2yko4c8
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Read and Feed program provided more than nourishment, south Melbourne triplets say - Florida Today"
Post a Comment