Eldorado lunch program has healthy start

http://www.dailyregister.com/articles/2007/06/05/news/news1.txt

By Eric Fodor
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, June 5, 2007 4:21 PM CDT
 

ELDORADO - Turnout was high for the first day of the lunch program for youth in Eldorado.

In all, 30 kids were picked up and brought to Star Baptist Church for a free lunch. Twelve kids were picked up at the Scott Street Baptist Church location, 12 were brought from Raleigh and six were brought from Eldorado High School.

The relatively high turnout means the program is off to a great start, Pedro Delgado, regional coordinator for the Illinois Coalition for Community Services, which got the ball rolling on the program.

The turnout even exceeded the first day at ICCS' model program, in Zeigler.

"In Zeigler on the first day we had 12 kids. We've even had cases where we've had single digits, so this is already a success," Delgado said.

Thirteen people volunteered to help on the first day, which is also higher than expected. About 40 volunteers attended an orientation for the summer program.

The summer lunch program at the East Washington Street Community Center in Carrier Mills also began Monday. Both programs will run Monday to Friday throughout the summer.

Since Star Baptist Church is several miles out of town, volunteers and RIDES Mass Transit have established pick-up points in Eldorado and the surrounding area. Kids needing a ride to Star Church may gather at:

- Scott Street Baptist Church, at the intersection of Scott and Jones streets. Pick-up time is 11:30 a.m.; drop-off time is 1:30 p.m.

- Teen Park. Pick-up is 11:30 a.m.; drop-off is 1:45 p.m.

- Lighthouse Tabernacle, 604 Boyd St., Parish Addition. Pick-up is 11:35 a.m.; drop-off is 1:40 p.m.

- Eldorado High School, Illinois Avenue. Pick-up is 11:30 a.m.; drop-off is 1:15 p.m.

- Cornerstone Worship, Raleigh. Pick-up is 11:50 a.m.; drop-off is 1:20 p.m.

- United Methodist Church, Broughton. Pick-up is 11:50 a.m.; drop-off is 1:10 p.m.

- To volunteer at the Eldorado program, you may call Curt Healy at 297-0746 or 273-9063.