01/02/2024
Federation’s Winter Break Lunch Program Fills a Need
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Elise Dietrich and Sandy Blum dish up lunch for kids donated by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank at the May Dugan Center Dec. 28 during the Jewish Federation of Cleveland's Winter Break Lunch Program. CJN Photo / Courtney Byrnes
COURTNEY BRYNES | CJN
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland held its annual Winter Break Lunch Program over six days between Dec. 19 and Dec. 28 at the May Dugan Center in Cleveland.
Over the six days, 80 volunteers turned out to run activities and provide lunch and entertainment to 25 children each day. Activities included games like Twister, Scrabble, matching card games and charades, and crafts like coloring sheets and bracelet making.
“It’s an opportunity to help children who are on winter break, interacting with games and activities,” Amy Nadler, incoming chair of the Jewish Volunteer Network, told the Cleveland Jewish News. “... We’re partnering in the community with different groups coming together.”
The program is aimed toward serving children and families that rely on school-based lunch programs during the school year and provides them with entertainment and a meal during the winter break. Food was provided by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and gently-used books were donated by the Kids Book Bank for children to take home.
The program is funded by the Byron Krantz Memorial Fund for Community Service, allowing for all the activities and entertainment. There was different entertainment each day, ranging from an animal show, magic show to balloon art.
