TIRO — Anyone attending the Tiro United Methodist Church’s Kid’s Café on Wednesday was undoubtedly impressed with the event.
The Kids Café is an offshoot of a program created by Pastor Harvey of the Tiro United Methodist Church. The original program was an initiative called Grandparents Raising Grandkids. The idea behind the program was to help grandparents teach their grandchildren life skills through community service.
When Pastor Harvey connected with Holly Keller, a social worker at Buckeye Central Local Schools and Mrs. Jung, a Shelby High School teacher who teaches a family consumer science class, the Kids Café was born.
Elementary student volunteers from Buckeye Central and Colonel Crawford schools take orders from diners, serve food and drinks and clean up after the meal. High school volunteers from Jung’s class cook the meals and help the students learn valuable skills.
The meals are served the third Wednesday of each month and are free to residents of Tiro and the surrounding communities.
This month’s theme featured a Thanksgiving meal complete with turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, corn, green bean casseroles, dinner rolls, drinks and pie for dessert. Leftovers were packaged for guests to take home if they so desired.
“The Kids Café teaches children about community service, etiquette, manners, food preparation skills and life skills,” Pastor Harvey said. “We love working with the kids and they love serving others.”
Flyers advertising the event and seeking student volunteers are sent home with the students.
Further information can also be found on the Tiro Facebook Page, Crawford County Now, WBCO and WQEL website event pages.
The December meal will feature Italian food.