Grant to fund day care meals

Florida Keys News

Monday, July 6, 2009

Grant to fund day care meals

Boys and Girls Club will serve free breakfasts

By JOHN L. GUERRA Citizen Staff

A $21,500 grant will put breakfast on the table this summer for as many as 130 children in day care programs operated by the Boys and Girls Club of the Keys, according to the club's director.

The grant is part of the Morgan Stanley Foundation's national Million Meal Summer program, which is providing 1 million meals and snacks to children who participate in subsidized school lunch programs.

Starting this month, the organization will begin serving free breakfasts and snacks for children in its summer day care programs. And it couldn't come at a better time, said Dan Dombroski, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of the Keys.

"The economic downturn that has impacted the entire country has been deeply felt by our clubs, and many summer food programs have been placed in jeopardy," he said.

The summer breakfast program will provide "wholesome" free meals to Boys and Girls Club kids Monday through Friday at Glynn Archer Elementary School, Dombroski said.

"A lot of parents don't have time to prepare breakfast before rushing off to work, while others might not have groceries in the house every day," he said. "They can drop their kids off and go off to work knowing they'll get breakfast."

Dombroski said he also will use the donation to fill backpacks of the poorest kids on Fridays, so they can take home food to eat over the weekend. Children in the Big Pine Key club will come to Key West and eat each morning, making the daily head count between 110 and 130 children, he said.

The club plans to kick off the program at 8 a.m. Thursday at Glynn Archer Elementary School in Key West. The club's board of directors and family members of children in the program will be served a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes and home fries. The Flagler Grill will prepare the food that day, Dombroski said.

Monroe County nonprofits suffered a 20 percent across-the-board cut in county funding two years ago. Sate and federal funding sources, such as matching funds also have diminished.

The Boys and Girls Club already is having to phase out its Keys day care programs for children ages 9 to 13 due to funding shortfalls. Children already in the program will continue receiving services, but the club cannot accept new applicants, Dombroski said

"We are extremely grateful to the Morgan Stanley Foundation for their generous support that will ensure the young people we serve this summer will not go hungry," Dombroski said.

jguerra@keysnews.com

Thank You Morgan Stanley Foundation

Submitted on Sat, 07/11/2009 - 12:43pm

for caring about the health and welfare of the children.

Citizen editors:

Submitted on Sat, 07/11/2009 - 12:42pm

I was disappointed to see the picture you published with this article. Photographing children full-face for publication is an unsafe practice these days. In addition, showing the underage face(s) of families with financial struggles seems to be a violation of confidentiality. I think a wide shot of a group of children from a distance on playground equipment (making them not directly identifiable) would have been much more tasteful and safe. Did the parents give permission for this picture? Another important consideration.

Irresponsible parents

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 12:45am

If the parents know that they are lazy and don't want to take on the role of parents they should have thought of this before getting knocked up.

Parents need to stop being

Submitted on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 3:45pm

Parents need to stop being lazy and get out of bed early and cook or prepare brekfast for your children. Less fortunate kids I can understand but lazy parents, no. This is a joke.

You Need to Quit Whining

Submitted on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 8:31pm

and start understanding how some parents aren't making ends meet. I've talked to some and most are single and are working many jobs. They had food stamps or subsidized meals provided to their children during school and can't afford to make ends meet now that school is out and their children still need care while they are working. You are the joke and a very cold one indeed! JFKulick

hey mr. or ms. handout, its

Submitted on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 10:50pm

hey mr. or ms. handout, its not the taxpayer responsibility to pay for lazy parents who take advantage of the program. you must be one of those who expect a handout all the time.

Helping to provide

Submitted on Sat, 07/11/2009 - 12:30pm

balanced nutrition for children often assists in eliminating serious health related issues. Medical care is far more expensive than the price of health-laden foods. Better nourished children are more physically active, and mentally alert. Every child deserves to have their basic needs met. You never know where the next great mind will come from...poverty does not eliminate the possibility of genius. By the way, this nutrition funding is not taxpayer-based. The Morgan Stanley Foundation is a private, corporate entity.

Take Your Foot Out of Your Mouth

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 7:32am

You better research your facts before you make broad generalizations about the source of funding. If you take the time to educate yourself you will find thast the source of this grant is private and not public. Go stand in front of a mirror and bitch to yourself 'cause you won't find an audience here! JFKulick

Dan, Sue, and Mary Beth

Submitted on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 7:57pm

are the most caring folks I know; they truly represent the best interests of children in Boys and Girls Clubs programs! I can attest to this because my child is enrolled and is the greatest advocate of their program. I don't know the challenges faced by each family with children enrolled in the program but if the extra funds are targeted for the kids who need it most then I don't know of a more passionate and caring bunch of program administrators who know where this grant can best be used. They are on the front line and know who needs the assist. I congadulate them for their continuous service to the community and instilling values that matter to us while our kids are under their supervision. I thank you for your efforts and your compassion! JFKulick

Grant to Fund Meals

Submitted on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 7:11pm

Recently, I had an appointment at Poinciana, arrived early and had to wait in the attendance office, and was amazed to see how many kids come to school on an empty stomach.

SUPER VISION

Submitted on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 11:00pm

Just how can you see that?

Doesnt take a brain surgeon

Submitted on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 2:21pm

When the kids come it, and the cafeteria supervisor says, "Which class are you in?" The biggest clue that they have not had breakfast is when they say, "But I haven't had breakfast" or "I'm hungry!" It happens several times every morning. (I didnt not write the original post)

Tell it to Mom

Submitted on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 4:11pm

Why should the school play nanny?

You should feed your kids at home ... the system does a poor enough job teaching - there is just no reason to feed the little moochers too

Y'all need to learn

Submitted on Sat, 07/11/2009 - 12:11pm

about "Humanity", "Compassion", "Empathy", and "Conscious". When you help others, it feeds your heart and soul. Your greed and bitterness is sad, and will consume you.

do not have time

Submitted on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 10:48am

The story states that "A lot of parents don't have time to prepare breakfast before rushing off to work". Well, get your butt out of bed earlier like millions of parents do every day. We should not have to raise your kids and mine too. Do your job. Bums!