Boys & Girls Club Undergoing Renovations
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis has announced a nearly $1 million plan to renovate several locations. The upgrades are set to be complete before the end of the year. August 11, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis (BGCI) announced the beginning of renovations to expand kitchens and cafeteria areas at their four freestanding Clubs. The expansion was made possible by supporters throughout the community who gave more than $909,000 for the project. Major donors for the expansions are The Glick Fund, a CICF fund, Messer Construction and United Way of Central Indiana. Each facility’s kitchen and cafeteria will double in size once updates are finished. Renovations are set to be completed by December 21, 2014.
Clubs Receiving Renovations:
-Keenan-Stahl Boys & Girls Club, 1949 East Troy Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203
-LeGore Boys & Girls Club, 5228 West Minnesota Street, Indianapolis, IN 46241
-Lilly Boys & Girls Club, 801 South State Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203
-Wheeler-Dowe Boys & Girls Club, 2310 East 30th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46218
Each year, BGCI serves more than 7,000 local youth; over 5,000 of those kids are members at the Clubs. During the school year, the Clubs serve youth from 3 to 7 p.m., and from as early as 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer and other intercessions, when youth are out of school.
Of Club kids, 82% qualify for free or reduced lunch at school. Often times, those youth rely on meals provided by BGCI. During after school activities, Club members receive a snack and dinner, provided by Second Helpings. For summer and other intercessions, youth are fed lunch, snack and dinner. Currently, with limited resources, the four freestanding Clubs are able to serve 50,000 dinners per year. After renovations, these Clubs will be able to offer 20,000 more dinners to Club kids and their families annually.
“Many of our youth live in areas that are food deserts,” said Rick Whitten, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. “It is important to us that we offer young people nutritional meals so that they have
the chance to be as successful as possible. We are committed to fighting against childhood hunger in Indianapolis, and know that this project is a step in the right direction.”
Last year, through a partnership with Second Helpings which began in 2012, and the Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Program, 162,524 hot meals and healthy snacks were provided to Club kids and their families. Whether or not a child has enough healthy food to eat not only affects them physically, but also impacts their ability to learn. Hunger affects numerous aspects of learning, including the ability to concentrate and perform well on standardized tests. And, with Clubs being in high-poverty, low income neighborhoods, providing free meals could mean Club kids having dinner for the night and being able to function well in school the next day.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis
Since 1893, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis have served the Indianapolis community. With 11 Club locations, the Clubs provide programs for over 7,000 youth in the areas of career exploration and educational enhancement, citizenship and leadership, the arts, and health and fitness. For additional information, please call (317) 920-4700 or visit www.BGCINDY.org
Source: Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis