LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Schools across the nation haven't been holding in-person classes for weeks now. For many kids, the food they get at school is the only warm meal they may get each day.
The Woodhill Community Center in Lexington is trying to step up and fill this void by delivering meals to about 200 kids in their outreach program on weekdays. Marcus Patrick is their urban outreach director and he says that changes with COVID-19 have been difficult on the center too. Before the pandemic, dozens of kids would come in and out of the center every day, but now their only interaction is dropping off food.
"It was definitely a switch for us being around a lot of kids and families, that is kind of what pushes us to do what we do," Patrick said. "So not having that has been a challenge, but as soon as this went down we needed to make sure our kids were still getting what they needed."
The Center says they knew they needed to step up and provide these kids with meals
"A smiling face that drops off some food is a good thing," Patrick said.
On Wednesdays, the Woodhill Community Center partners with Culver's, something franchise owner Lisa Maxey says they were happy to do.
"It is so important for kids to at least have something in their stomach to go on their day," Maxey explained. "They have to do school, they still have to be online learning, and so hopefully it will be easier for them when they have their stomachs full of good food."
If you would like to help and volunteer food or to help deliver the food you can contact the center at 859-277-3087 or email mpatrick@lexlf.org
