Grab and Go meals in Cheltenham Village
July 25, 2018
By Ashley Stahmer, Communications Intern
During the week, Cheltenham Village offers free meals for children through the Food Bank’s Grab and Go program. Children can pick up their meals in the main office between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
The Grab and Go meals are assembled by volunteers at the Food Bank and given out every weekday, with additional meals supplied for the weekend on Friday. Meals usually include a sandwich, snack, milk, and bottled water. Grab and Go offers kids a flexible, convenient way to get healthy, free meals over the summer months. Unlike traditional summer meal programs, this program allows children to take their meals home to consume.
Cheltenham Village offers more than meals for the children in the community. Through a partnership, CHILD, Inc. provides enriching and educational opportunities, giving kids the chance to learn and have fun in a healthy environment. The children enjoy activities throughout the week, including dance lessons on Wednesday afternoons. CHILD, Inc. also plans and sponsors field trips. The children recently went to the Camden Aquarium and are looking forward to the annual Killens Pond trip. Donna Johnson, the CHILD, Inc. program coordinator for Cheltenham Village and Sparrow Run, is working to plan outings to the beach or a nearby amusement park, as well. The volunteers and children are also excited for the community day celebration, which will include carnival games and other activities, on August 22nd at 12:00 p.m.
Cheltenham’s programs don’t end when the summer does. To prepare for September, the center helps parents register to receive school 
supplies and backpacks. Once school starts, after-school programs are available Monday through Thursday. Volunteers, some of whom are older children in the community, help the kids with their homework and check in to see what they are learning and doing in school.
The Food Bank is happy to partner with organizations like CHILD, Inc., because it makes it easier for children to receive the food they need throughout the summer. Whether the children are participating in the field trips or coming for the weekly activities, they know where to go for their Grab and Go meals every day.
The Grab and Go program is made possible thanks to:
- The Harry K Foundation
- Giant Food’s Our Family Foundation
- Citizens Bank
- Islamic Relief USA
- Share our Strength
- Kraft Heinz through Feeding America
- Enterprise Rent-A-Care Foundation through Feeding America
For more information about the Food Bank of Delaware and our hunger-relief efforts, visit www.fbd.org.
