Donations Sought for Children's Nutrition Program

A food program that helps feed more than 20 children each day in Durham and Middlefield is in need of donations.

The Children’s Nutrition Program was launched in the spring of 2011 as a collaborative effort between the Durham Middlefield Youth and Family Services and Regional School District 13 to ensure that students at the elementary school level all the way up to high school have enough to eat each day.

"The program provides two breakfasts, two lunches and two snacks for each child," said Jane Moen, program director at DMYFS. "Research shows that when kids have stable nutrition on weekends they are happier, healthier and as a result do better academically and socially at school and in the community," she said.

Food donations are gathered year-round during events like the Community Round-Up in December, as well as at food drives held at schools and churches in the community. The meals are sorted by students in the Helping Hands Club at Coginchaug High School and then distributed by the school district.

"We appreciate the generosity of all these volunteers who stock our pantry as each week boxes and boxes are packed up with 196 food items and travel from the DMYFS office to local families," Moen said.

But lunch items such canned soup, chili, ravioli and spaghetti-o's are running low at this time, according to Moen. Other food items in need include snack bars, healthy breakfast cereals and canned fruit.

"Once a month we add in some extras to get through the end of the month, including peanut butter and jelly, tuna, pasta and sauce," she said.

Donations may be dropped off at Durham Town Hall, the DMYFS Office located at 405 Main Street in Middlefield or at the Social Services Office in the Middlefield Community Center.  

Any local businesses willing to hold a collection of needed items should contact Jane Moen at jmoen.dmyfs@comcast.net.