New nonprofit to provide free meals for Ferguson children at parks and schools this summer

Jamiesia Moore, founder of Community Connect Outreach, introduced her organization to the Ferguson City Council on April 22 and described plans to provide free meals to children at local sites during the school year and summer.

Moore said her nonprofit currently provides an after-school supper program at McCluer South Berkeley where staff serve balanced meals to children during the transition period after school. "My staff is there. They set up a balanced meal with a protein, a vegetable, a fruit, and a milk component, and they're served a balanced meal before they go to their after school activities," Moore said.

She said Community Connect Outreach participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) during the school year and will operate summer feeding through the city's park program this year, serving lunch and supper at Forestwood Park and other locations. Moore said evening service is typically between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and that anyone under 18 can receive a free meal; adults with special needs are also eligible.

Councilmembers welcomed the program and asked for schedule information and promotional coordination. Moore said she is working with city staff and partner organizations and will provide a packet of schedules and materials for distribution to council and staff. Council members asked staff to help publicize times and locations to assist with childcare and youth-engagement goals this summer.

No formal council action was required; the presentation served to introduce the program and request cooperation for outreach and scheduling.