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Closer to Home is a free lunch program with a broad base of community support. Begun 8 years ago by some congregations and the local service agency Northwest Community Action Project, it has served hot meals to hungry people who may not otherwise get a nutritious meal that day. During the school year, people served per day can range from 4 to twenty-four. During the summer, many children who receive free or reduced lunches eat at here, bringing the meals served past forty per day.
Last February, Closer to Home ceased operations at its former address next to NCAP due to staffing and funding shortages. The Refuge, a community building project of some congregation members of Chadron Community Church, graciously took up the lunch program. A group of citizens active in supporting community betterment had been working on addressing the issue of hunger in Chadron and supported this interim solution. This group has decided a program in a larger space with a full kitchen would serve community needs better, so Closer to Home will move to the Masonic Lodge during the first week of June this year.
Chadron Public Library hosts a children's activity program during the mornings and afternoons that is free and open to the public. After the school district re-organization two years ago, there is no school-based summer program for children. This means many students who receive free and reduced lunches will lack an important source of nutritious meals, as well as some activities.
Closer to Home will host a lunch and activities program for children during the midday break of the Library program from 11:30am to 1:00pm from June 2 through July 19. It is a two block walk from the Library to the Masonic Lodge that can easily go through the city park around the courthouse. We have an excellent opportunity to feed many children and to offer supervised activities during the lunch period. The lunch portion of the program will be provided by volunteers (some from Rotary), the supervised activities will require professional oversight and programming. Materials, supplies, Parishable and Non-Parishable items will need to be purchased for the praogam.
Rotarian Involvement includes 4 active Rotarians on the Closer to Home Committee (Rob Wahlstrom, Tim Lordino, Wayne Anderson and John Parton). John Parton will also serve as Interim Activities Coordinator. In addition, Rotary members will volunteer to cook and serve lunch a few days during the duration of the program.
Chadron Rotary Club District 5630 is seeking a District Grant in the amount of $1000.00 to go toward food and children's activity program expenses.
Total Grant Request = $1000.00
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