In a small town in Wisconsin where community spirit runs deep, the Beaver Dam school district’s summer meals program stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, dedication, and innovative thinking. As shared in an interview with Stephanie Young, the program’s coordinator, this initiative not only feeds children but also brings the community together in unexpected ways.
The Genesis of the Program
The summer meals program in Beaver Dam began as an extension of the school district’s efforts to ensure children had access to nutritious food during the summer months. As Stephanie described, the program initially served students attending summer school at the elementary and high schools. It soon expanded to include the local YMCA camp, a martial arts camp, and a splash pad, providing breakfast and lunch to these sites.
The program’s outreach didn’t stop there. Recognizing the challenges faced by families to access meals when programs were not in session, the district introduced meal pickups on Thursday nights. This initiative allowed families to collect three days’ worth of meals, covering Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the convenience and necessity of having meals at home, especially for children who might be alone during the day.
The shift to non-congregate meals, inspired by the feedback received and the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic, was a significant step for the Beaver Dam program. As Stephanie noted, the convenience of meal pickups, reminiscent of the pandemic era, was a major factor in this decision. The program’s reach extended to children in trailer parks and other areas where access to centralized meal sites was limited.
As summer school and other in-person programs ended, the program transitioned to a seven-day meal pickup system for the remaining six weeks of the program in addition to the three-day packs distributed at the community site locations. This change was driven by the desire to ensure that even more children, regardless of their location or circumstances, had access to nutritious meals throughout the week through Taher Inc.. Serving these various models to reach families where they are has resulted in 360 children each week receiving meals.
Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Successes
One of the biggest challenges faced by the program was maintaining the temperature of the meals during distribution. Without proper refrigeration at the meal sites, staff had to constantly transport food back and forth to keep it cold. However, thanks to grant funds from No Kid Hungry, the program was able to purchase a refrigerated trailer. This trailer, expected to be ready by next summer, will streamline the distribution process, keeping the meals at the right temperature and reducing the physical strain on the staff.
Despite these challenges, the program has seen remarkable success this summer. The program’s flexibility and responsiveness to community feedback played a crucial role in this success. For instance, when parents suggested a more central location for meal pickups, the organizers moved the site, resulting in increased participation.
Community Engagement and Communication
Effective communication was key to the program’s success. The organizers used various channels, including a dedicated Facebook page, the district’s communication platforms, and direct mail to inform families about the program. They also collaborated with local organizations like the library, Habitat for Humanity, and local churches to spread the word.
A significant aspect of their communication strategy was addressing language barriers. With a high population of Spanish-speaking families, the program utilized the district’s Spanish translator to ensure that all information was accessible. This effort helped bridge the gap and ensured that no family was left out due to language differences.
Looking Ahead
As the Beaver Dam summer meals program continues to evolve, the focus remains on meeting the community’s needs and overcoming logistical challenges. The introduction of the refrigerated trailer is a testament to the program’s commitment to innovation and improvement. Moreover, the continuous feedback loop with families ensures that the program remains responsive and relevant.
The program’s success is not just in the numbers but in the heartfelt thank yous from the families and the sense of community it fosters. As Stephanie aptly put it, the rewarding feeling of knowing that children are well-fed and families are supported makes all the hard work worthwhile.