Linda Cason relishes afternoons with her adorable five-year-old great grandson, Osiaun.

“I enjoy spending time with my great-grandson. He loves to come to this park. So we come up here every day after school if he’s been good in school,” Cason said.

She was pleasantly surprised to see a tent at the park’s entrance on a recent visit. It signifies a pop-in at the park with the Kansas City Public Library and Harvesters.

Osiaun got to pick out a brand new book and enjoy a tasty meal for free.

“I think it’s great, I really do. I mean, I’ve never seen it happen before, so yeah, I think it’s great,” Cason said.

In addition to several local parks, Harvesters Kids Cafe is available at many area YMCAs, health clinics, schools and community centers like Mattie Rhodes Center in Kansas City, Mo.

“I really think it makes a huge difference because some of these kids the only healthy meal any way they’re getting is at the Kids Café sites or at school. So I think it’s a really important part of the community,” said Harvesters youth services coordinator, Chad Curry.

In Missouri, kids sit and eat meals at the designated Kids Cafe site.

In Kansas, families can grab a meal and go.

It’s food that brings smiles, joy, and critical nutrition to kids in our community.

“The best part is when they come up and tell me what their favorite item is. Today was the pizza subs, which is one of our really popular ones, so I get a lot of good feedback on that. It’s really great to see. It puts a face and reality on what we do every day,” Curry said.

Osiaun is thankful for energy to run, play and learn thanks to a full belly and a good book.

“Thank you so much!” he said.

To find child feeding sites near you head here: www.harvesters.org/mealsforkids or text FOOD to 304-304.