Learning through Lunches Youth Initiative
Do you have a group of youth (Girl Scout, Boy Scout, sports team, or youth group) looking for a service project?
Are there young students in your household who could benefit from gaining budgeting experience or learning about nutrition?
If so, consider being a part of DuPagePads’ “Learning through Lunches” Initiative. This new program targets youth (ages 6-17) and families to plan and prepare sack lunches for our Interim (Overnight) Housing program, which provides homeless families and individuals access to shelter, safety and meals 365 nights a year. Last year this program provided 44,284 nights of shelter and an average of 400 meals a day. This fall we are in need of 2,000 bag lunches. Grant funds to cover expenses may be available for groups of four youth or more.
Through this program, students will learn how to budget and increase their awareness of costs. Groups will become more aware of the needs of the families and individuals who are homeless in their community. In addition to working with a budget, sack lunches are also encouraged to be nutritious to reflect DuPagePads’ “culture of health”. Our health culture not only addresses access to basic needs like emergency housing, transportation, meals, a steady income and social supports; but goes a step further by providing proper nutrition and chronic disease management educational opportunities.
The goal is to create bagged lunches while working within a budget. Youth teams will have to spend money wisely in order to obtain all the food and supplies need to make the necessary amount of lunches to feed participants. Lunches should consist of:
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on wheat bread,
- Banana,
- Granola Bar,
- Bottled Water,
- Baby Carrots or Baked Chips.
Groups are encouraged to be creative by drawing or writing a note of encouragement on the outside of the lunch bags!
The Learning through Lunches initiative is currently recruiting groups now through November 30th, 2015. If your team is interested in getting involved, contact Volunteer Coordinator at 630.682.3846 X3500 or volunteer@dupagepads.org.
Click here for a printable flyer
YOU can be a part of the solution to end homelessness in DuPage County through our Learning through Lunches Program!
