Storybook Picnic Provides Hot Meals and books to Children; Nearly 1,000 Served Already
Cincinnati, OH (June 30, 2014) – The Salvation Army today announced that its new community outreach program, Storybook Picnic, has been very successful in its first weeks of roll-out. Storybook Picnic provides free hot meals and new books to children up to 18 years of age, through a community engagement process ‘on the streets.’ To-date, nearly 1,000 children have been served through the program, which launched June 10th and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday through July 24th.
“We’re so delighted with the response to the program,” stated Major Kathleen Klenk, officer in charge at The Salvation Army’s Center Hill Community Center. “Our mission is to enrich children’s minds and bodies. We wanted to ensure that children would continue to have good meals and educational opportunities throughout the summer. Storybook Picnic was born out of that desire to serve at-risk children in our local community.”
The program utilizes The Salvation Army’s mobile canteen resources to bring hot meals to children in their own neighborhoods. Hot meals and new books are distributed by staff and volunteers to those ages 1 to 18. The initial launch of the program has focused on two neighborhoods served by The Salvation Army’s Center Hill Community Center. Given the initial response to the program, expansion to an additional location is being evaluated.
The launch of the program has been generously supported by local donors, including the late Audrey Dick, whose personal passion for providing books to children was evident in her work with The Salvation Army Toy Shop Auxiliary, as well as additional anonymous donors, who want to ensure at-risk children receive nutritious meals. Volunteers have stepped forward to help prepare and serve the meals, as well as the distribution of bottled water and books to the children attending Storybook Picnic.
To learn more about The Salvation Army in Greater Cincinnati, please visit www.salvationarmycincinnati.org, or follow us on Facebook (“Salvation Army Cincinnati”) or on Twitter (“@salarmycincy”). For more information, please call 513-762-5600. To donate, pleases call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, visit us online, or mail a check to 114 E. Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
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