Join host Kierstyn Long on this episode of Along the Rock as she welcomes Keri Olson, executive director of United Way of Whiteside County, to discuss the 25th anniversary of the Let’s Feed Our Children program.

Learn how this community-driven initiative provides thousands of free meals to children throughout Whiteside County each summer. Keri shares how the program has grown, the increasing need for food assistance, and how local volunteers, businesses, and organizations come together to ensure no child goes hungry while school is out.

In this episode:
• The history of Let’s Feed Our Children
• How the program has grown over the past 25 years
• Where families can pick up free meals
• Volunteer opportunities and community support
• The impact of rising food costs on local families
• Information about Dolly’s Book Bash and other United Way programs

Meal distribution takes place every Wednesday throughout the summer at locations across Whiteside County, including Sterling, Rock Falls, Fulton, Morrison, Erie, Albany, Lyndon, Prophetstown, and Tampico.

For more information about Let’s Feed Our Children, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events, visit United Way of Whiteside County’s website and social media pages.

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🎤 Highlights:

0:00 Intro

0:23 Meet Kari Olson of United Way of Whiteside County

0:46 The history of "Let's Feed Our Children" and its 25th anniversary

1:23 Program growth and increased demand

2:00 Community businesses helping with logistics

2:38 Why the need for food assistance continues to grow

3:31 How families receive meals (no registration required)

4:19 Four lunches in every bag and how they're packed

5:09 Returning weekly for free meals

6:04 Lunch pickup locations in Rock Falls and Sterling

6:39 Meal times and backup distribution at New Life Church

7:15 Reaching children with the greatest need

7:57 Serving more than 4,000 meals each week

8:24 How volunteers and donations make the program possible

9:15 Why volunteers are still needed this summer

10:07 Community support and donated supplies

10:58 A program run by the community for the community

11:19 Dolly's Book Bash and literacy programs

12:02 Where to find information and meal locations

12:24 Closing remarks

13:55 Viewer message and subscribe reminder

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