The first thing the kids who attend Club Esteem do when they get there every afternoon is grab their meal.
“It’s just like when they’re at home and coming home from school,” said Ellena Little, Director of Club Esteem. “The first thing is, ‘I’m hungry; I want a snack.’”
Club Esteem is an after-school program in Melbourne where about 90 kids from kindergarten through 8th grade come for activities and tutoring. It’s a Second Harvest Kids Café site, and the food bank provides all the after-school meals.
Brevard County has two Kids Café sites that operate all year long, Club Esteem and Cocoa PAL, which serve about 600 meals each month. During the summer, there are four additional Summer BreakSpot meal sites in the county.
The meals provide healthy choices and essential nutrients for learning and growing bodies, Ellena said.
“It gives them the opportunity to try different things,” Ellena said. “And nobody going hungry, that alone is what’s important.”
Applesauce and cheese sticks are among the favorites at Club Esteem. And everyone always eats their fruit, whether it’s apples, oranges, or bananas. A sharing table is provided for any items students don’t want that others can eat if they’re still hungry.
“Today’s peanut butter and jelly day, so it’s a good day,” Ellena said.
The kids confirmed Ellena’s observations about the fruit and peanut butter and jelly and mentioned a few other standouts.
“I like the bagels with cream cheese,” said Shavona, 10, who likes to fuel up with food before a busy afternoon of playing outside and computer-based learning games.
Kayah, 9, prioritizes doing her homework at Club Esteem so she can earn stickers and other rewards.
“I always drink my milk,” the fourth-grader said.
Second-grader Paul looks forward to a specific fruit.
“I like the pineapple,” he said.
