Program focuses on providing families with meals that include adequate vitamins, minerals
From Staff Reports
The Apple Valley Optimist Club recently announced it’s partnering with BJ’s Health Foods and the Lord’s Table this summer to start a special program for High Desert kids who are fortunate to be served a daily hot meal from The Lord’s Table in Victorville.
Julie Whittingham, club chairperson, said the High Desert is grateful to have a program that homeless and lower income families can go to on a daily basis to be fed a warm and nutritious meal served by volunteers who work tirelessly to provide each person with food that not only nurtures their bodies but gives them hope for their future.
While the meals are a life saver for these families, many families including the small children are only receiving this one meal a day. This one meal a day is not enough for a young growing body who needs adequate yitamins/minerals A ,B C,D, calcium, and many more to grow and develop strong eyes, brains, bones, and immune systems.
Julie Whittingham brought her concerns to Alicia Dunn, assistant director of the Lord’s Table and to Don Frash, owner of BJ’s Health Foods who both were in total agreement with her concerns and were very enthusiastic about doing something to solve this issue.
Dolores Zuniga is the founder and director of the Lord’s Table.
Don Frash, with no hesitation, offered to donate a year’s worth of a one-a-day chewable kids vitamin that will now be distributed to each child as they receive their meal from the Lord’s Table.
“I was overcome with emotion when Mr. Frash offered this generous donation and declined my offer to compensate him with advertising,” Zuniga said. “He told me that he did not want advertising because it is all about getting our kids healthy and nothing more.”
The Apple Valley Optimist Club believes that every child deserves to be healthy and it’s up to the local community to grow healthy kids. The club’s goal is to increase this program to all High Desert kids who are either homeless and/or are unable to afford a daily meal. The club is asking for donations to further this program so every child can receive a one-a-day chewable vitamin supplement with their meal. They also welcome any suggestions that the community has to offer to make this worthwhile program a success.
For more information, contact Whittingham at 760-247-9800 or info@hotelsccm.com.