free food

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

April showers have never dampened the Marble Falls Children's Day Celebration from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 21, will be no exception.

“Just wear a jacket if it's cool and bring a poncho or umbrella in case it rains a little,” said Ely Banuet Rodriguez, founder and president. “We've seen it before and all the games and food and fun will go on in Johnson Park anyway on Saturday.

“If it showers, don't scurry away. Just stay. The sun will come out.”

“Children's Day comes straight out of the heart of Texas,” said Ely Banuet Rodriguez, founder and president of the full day of free entertainment, fun and food for children from pre-kindergartenage-middle school held each spring in Marble Falls.

The 18th annual Children's Day on April 21, again will fill Johnson Park, the city's Lone Star Legacy Park at 230 Ave J, with the joyful sound of children having safe and free family fun from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

That doesn't happen without support and sponsors to assist more than 400 volunteers with the event are welcome. Likewise, community organizations, schools, churches, businesses and individuals are welcomed into the fold to provide the fun-filled day.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Get ready. Get set. Go to Marble Falls Spring Break 2018.

The Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Department again will provide the free weekday fun while Marble Falls Independent School District students are on vacation.

It takes place every day from Monday, March 12, through Friday, March 16. all with the help of local sponsors.

Last year, H-E-B became the corporate sponsor through its Community Investment Program. Free lunches are provided for kids every day from restaurants including Chick-fil-A, Subway, Pizza Hut and, of course, H-E-B.

Monique Breaux, this year's coordinator, amassed some statistics from last year's foodies: 300 hot dogs and 200 hamburgers, 520 bags of fruit snacks, 584 bags of chips, 310 bottles of sports drinks and 300 bottles of water.

The event has only grown in popularity over the years.

Free meals for children and students are being served in school cafeterias and from food and book busses again this summer by the Child Nutrition Services of the Marble Falls Independent School District.

“Cafeterias at Marble Falls High School (MFHS) and Marble Falls Elementary School (MFES) are open to the public for meals that are free for ages one-18,” said Elizabeth Almazan of Child Nutrition Services. “Adults can eat a breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.50.”

The MFHS cafeteria, 2101 Mustang Drive, will be open through June 30, with breakfast from 7:15-7:45 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m.-noon.

The MFES cafeteria, 1909 Broadway Street, will be open, except for July 4, through July 28, with breakfast from 7:15-7:45 a.m. and lunch from 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Busses with free food and books to enjoy this summer will stop at two locations for lunch (no breakfast) through July 29, except for July 4.

Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The annual Joseph's Pantry Feast of Thanksgiving expects to serve more than 300 families, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19.

The event will be held at Highland Lakes Elementary School on H.A. Barnett Drive at Ranch to Market Road 1431.

“We will be Serving a hot plate of turkey with side dishes and also distributing a shopping cart of food items to any family that needs help with a holiday dinner,” said Roy Guerrero of Joseph's Pantry. “The cart will include bread, pastries, canned foods, produce items, dairy products, eggs, drinks and other items.”

No application is necessary, Guerrero said. Volunteers will be outside the school cafeteria ready to help load the holiday food.

“We invite everyone to come out and enjoy fellowship and the praise and worship music by Smoking for Jesus Ministries,” Guerrero said. “It is all sponsored by God, Joseph's Food Pantry, local churches and H-E-B.”