Hot dog days of summer

Keeping kids fed can be a hassle, but keeping kids fed under a tight budget is just difficult. But through two state grants and the collaboration of the Odessa Housing Authority, the City of Odessa and the West Texas Food Bank, the "Third Edition Kids Café" can help ease the burden of feeding those never-ending appetites.

The Third Edition Kids Café is named after the Third Edition apartments, provided by the Odessa Housing Authority, in which anyone between the ages of 1 and 18 can come and receive a meal between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. every Monday through Friday. Participants do not need to qualify to receive a meal.

Irene Arenizas, an employee with Odessa Housing Authority said she knows the importance of a program like this firsthand.

"I grew up in a low-income household, and it's nice to be able to give back to the children in the same manner I got," she said. "I know the way they live."

Hyta Folsom, executive director of the West Texas Food Bank, said many kids depend on school meals, which almost disappear during the summer.

"This may be the only cooked meal they can get, and if families depend on school meals, then it's extra hard on them," Folsom said.

Israel Orona, 10, said he likes coming to the Third Edition Kids Café to play with the other kids and have fun with his counselors.

"My favorite thing to eat are chicken tenders," he said after some thought. "And we play Monopoly, Candy Land, bingo, basketball and baseball."

THE BASICS

>> What? Third Edition Kids Café.

>> Where? 1201 N. Whitaker Ave., Third Edition Apartments.

>> When? Center is open from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and meals are served from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

>> Who can come? Anyone from the ages of 1 through 18. You do not need to qualify.