Community volunteers this summer are spending time to ease hunger among area youngsters.
The volunteers have been gathering to make and pack sandwiches, healthy snacks and juice to be delivered to children at specified drop-off points.
The Food 4 Kids program is made possible by a grant obtained by the United Way of Central Missouri.
From July 5 through Aug. 17, volunteers representing the United Way, area churches and businesses are assembling the nutritious lunches distributed to children at Elston Acres, Buena Vista playground and Miller Street Park.
Although hunger may not be readily visible in our community, it is a very real problem. In Cole County, 5,147 children qualified for the federal school lunch and breakfast program.
But those meals are unavailable when the school year, and summer school, ends.
"This program is timed and meant to help take care of lunch when school is not in session," explained Cynthia Questch, program coordinator.
The fuel that extends the efficiency and scope of the program is the energy of its volunteers.
Laura Hart, who coordinates volunteers from First Presbyterian Church, said: "We have some very dedicated volunteers, some that drive around offering the meals to children until they area all gone."
We commend these dedicated volunteers as yet another example of the caring and sharing that infuses our community.