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Volunteers, Social Work Students Pack Dinners For Hungry Kids

EDWARDSVILLE – There’s plenty of fresh fruit and pasta ready to be served inside Ollie’s Restaurant, but dozens of meals packaged on Friday afternoon will go to...

EDWARDSVILLE – There’s plenty of fresh fruit and pasta ready to be served inside Ollie’s Restaurant, but dozens of meals packaged on Friday afternoon will go to hungry middle school students who live in struggling families.

The owner of Ollie’s American Restaurant said he’s led the “Dinner For Kids” program for nearly four years, creating meals that cost around $2.20.

"The best solution that I can provide is prepared meals in a microwave safe container for nutritious and balanced meals,” said David Tevet.

Along with the meals, Misericordia University’s social work department has started helping with the program this year.

"Some students were going hungry, the lunch program and the breakfast program wasn`t quite enough for some of these students,” said Social Work Director Susan McDonald.

Volunteers come to the restaurant three times a week to package microwavable meals for 116 kids, who otherwise may not get a hot dinner in the Wyoming Valley.

Social Work interns told Newswatch 16 that during the meal deliveries, they check in with many of the students and their parents.

"What we’re looking to do is provide services that go beyond the dinner table, really go into the families homes, educate the families and get them connected to resources in the area,” said Fred Collier.

"Becoming aware of all of the great resources that we have in the community and volunteering and just yeah, watching out for one another I think is really important,” said Brianna Pasterchik.

For more information or to donate to the “Dinner for Kids” program click here.

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