Feed the Kids program begins this Wednesday at Zion UCC

Lunchtime meals served each weekday in July, donations welcome to help sustain the program

Waukon churches and community members have banded together once again this July to bring hot lunches to area children, ages 18 and under. In 2025, its third year, the Feed the Kids (FTK) program served 2,849 lunches and distributed 2,383 breakfast bags in the 23 days of the program. This was an increase of 874 meals from 2024. The number of days to serve will again be 23 this year, and the lunch menu for each of those days can be found accompanying this article at right.

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) provides a summer feeding program to local children ages 18 and under during the months of June and August, but there is nothing in place for July. Community members felt there were still “food insecure” children who needed to eat all summer long and the program got started based on that premise.

Beginning Wednesday of this week, the lunches are being provided weekdays (there will be no lunches served any Saturday or Sunday) July 1-31 from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Zion United Church of Christ, located at 113 1st Street NE in Waukon. Grab-and-go breakfast meals will also be provided for the children to take with them to eat the following day.

Area churches are each taking a week to organize, prepare, and serve the lunches to the children in the lower level of Zion United Church of Christ (UCC). Volunteers will include members and non-members of those churches, so all are welcome to participate and contribute in any way they can.

The cost to put on the Feed the Kids program is approximately $7,000 and the program relies entirely on donations, offerings and grants for funding. Another valuable resource currently used is the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse, WI which provides food for causes such as this. Anyone wishing to donate is asked to send a check made out to Zion UCC FTK and sent to  Zion UCC, 113 1st Street NE, Waukon, IA 52172.  The money is used solely to purchase food for the program. All workers who are serving and/or coordinating the program are strictly volunteers.

For additional information, contact Sue Clark, Kathy Hay, or Peggy Stock (program coordinators) via Zion United Church of Christ.