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Sunday's Child - Nikolas
Hot Meals Served at Boys and Girls Club 12/21/12
Ashley Melnick
amelnick@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News
December 21, 2012
MIDLAND-Kids at the Boys and Girls Club at Taylor Park receive more than just homework help and time to hang out.
They also recieve dinner through the national Kids Café Program, thanks to the West Texas Food Bank and United Way.
For single mom of three boys, Nereyda Maraz said the club is like her family and support team.
“I work really long hours to be able to make a good pay check,” said Maraz. “And I don’t really have anyone or any family in the area to help.”
Her boys are hungry when they come to the club from school since their last meal was around noon.
“I now I don’t have to worry they are hungry,” said Maraz. “It also saves me money because I don’t have to buy take out whenever I’m working late.”
Unit Director Michael Jasso said like Maraz, many parents work late and cannot always provide a balanced meal.
Club members are served a hot meal that will include a meat, vegetable and milk after school each day.
Jasso said as far as he can tell, the kids love the food, and so do Maraz’s boys.
“There have been times they told me ‘Don’t pick us up yet, we want their food,’” said Maraz.
The program serves over 200 meals a day to both Midland locations.
Jasso said the program at Taylor Park began at the start of the school year and he hopes it will extend into the summer.