Campers race into the Camp Rina gym each day after davening and are greeted by the sight of colorfully adorned tables set with an array of mini cereal cups, milk, fresh fruit, and a choice of yogurt or string cheese for each child, compliments of Agudah of Colorado and Food Bank of the Rockies. In the afternoon, the children are again treated to a yummy and healthy snack from a choice of squeezy applesauce, juice boxes, snack bags, granola bars, and more.
Similar scenarios play out at Camp Gan Israel, Denver Jewish Day Camp, and Camp Chayos Hakodesh as campers are treated to a robust breakfast and snack every day, on the house. On Shabbos afternoon, extra special snacks are given out to children. It’s the second consecutive summer that Agudah of Colorado, in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies, is utilizing the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a federal initiative that provides meals for children throughout the summer, to provide free meals to the community through local camps and organizations.
“The federal government created a program to feed children, recognizing the need for nutritious meals when school is out,” explains Rabbi Yossi Kaplan, Agudah of Colorado director. “Local partners like the Agudah handle the program’s logistics, and by working with the Food Bank and the state, we overcame the unique challenges of sourcing kosher food under the program requirements and crafting a kid-friendly menu that’s within budget and healthy. Providing so many meals to children, and helping not only them but also their families, the camps, and the community as a whole makes the months of work worth it. An added bonus is the relationships built as we learn more ways to help the community in the future.”
This year, at the height of the program, over six hundred meals were provided daily, and parents, children, and camp leaders love it! “Huge thank you to Agudah for all your efforts!” says Rabbi Mendy Sirota of Denver Jewish Day Camp. “The food program is truly a huge deal and we appreciate it immensely.”