Feed The Kids...

... jumps in whenever performances or rehearsals require the students to spend extended time at school. Traditionally, this includes tech weeks for the Cabaret, the Fall and Spring plays, and the Musical. February vacation is a very busy time for Feed the Kids due to rehearsals for the annual musical production. In addition, Feed the Kids may offer sustenance when it is difficult for the performers to get a meal on their own, such as during the MICCA competition.

Feed the Kids provides snacks and easily-prepared meals for the performers and crew. During February vacation, morning snack, hot lunch and afternoon snacks are provided, as well as dinner when the Director indicates that 'double rehearsals' are scheduled. When rehearsals are scheduled for after school, an afternoon snack is provided as well as dinner.

The Feed the Kids program is offered to all students involved with the production, but participation is not mandatory. The participation fee is kept as reasonable as possible. Feed the Kids also provides bottled water throughout the rehearsal schedule as well as bottled water, citrus slices and hard candy for performances.

Help is always welcomed for Feed the Kids.

Before each event we must take inventory of the supplies already available - paper goods, staples like condiments, and things in the freezer. Buyers make the trip to COSTCO to supplement the supplies and also to purchase food. When we are feeding mass quantities to large groups(such as February vacation), trips to COSTCO are made every other day, supplemented by daily trips to Crosby's.

At-Home Cooks are indispensable to the Feed the Kids program. Our children are always ravenous and you would be amazed by the number of cookies, brownies, muffins, etc that they consume. Our children also love healthy alternatives such as fresh veggie trays, cut up fruit and a variety of salads. While we are fortunate to have the use of the old Home Economics classroom to reheat things, the facility does not offer great space for food preparation, so our At-Home Cooks provide the foundation of our dinners. Pasta and sauce, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, chili, chicken wings and homemade soups are so appreciated by the students! We also appreciate donations of oranges and lemons for performances.

Working a shift or two as Kitchen Staff is probably the most rewarding part of Feed the Kids. Each shift covers one meal or snack, so is usually two hours long. Two people work the snack shifts while five people work the main meals. The Kitchen Staff complete the final food preparation, set up the dining area, serve the students and then clean up afterwards. The pace can be a bit intense as 120 people need to be fed in a short amount of time. Everyone is so appreciative and it is fun to be with the students.

Performance Kitchen Staff are those wonderful parents who are available back-stage for the students during performances. Primary responsibilities include replenishing the supply of citrus slices, water and lemon water.

To Help, Contact:

Brenda Delsener <ebdelsener(at)comcast(dot)net>

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