Cook for a cause

Did you know that ONE in SIX kids is food insecure? A lack of adequate nutrition in kids can have consequences for life. We are asking for your help to feed these kids and their families! We have 3 ways to help:

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED. IF YOU WOULD STILL LIKE TO HELP MAKE CASSEROLES, PLEASE EMAIL [email protected]. THANK YOU!


ThIS EVENT HAS PASSED.

Sign-up to make a casserole, drop it off on one of 3 drop-off days, and we will get it to a family in need. 

Choose from 4 kid-tested and approved recipes.

Help us donate 200 homemade casseroles to school-aged kids and their families in the Des Moines Metro Area.

Recipes to Choose From:

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.

Sign up to help us make energy bites and snack bags. Or, you can sign-up to drop off needed food for the snacks and bags.

If you can join us in person to help, we ask that you bring an item or ingredient.

Our goal is to make 200 snack bags and 12 dozen energy bites. They will be donated to kids in shelters.


why we cook for a cause

We want to focus specifically on getting food to school-aged kids who are food insecure, which is why we started Cook For A Cause.

We focus our efforts during the month of February, after the holiday focus on giving has subsided. Kids and their families are still hungry in the new year too.

At Real Food 4 Kids, we know that kids can do so much in the kitchen, including making food for other kids in need!

The benefit to the recipient is of course a meal, but there are SO many benefits to the kids making the food.

Making a meal for others helps kids to become aware that kids their own age may be facing food insecurity, it empowers them to help, and it gives them the opportunity to hone their own cooking skills and develop confidence in the kitchen.

This is our third annual Cook For A Cause. Help us make it a great one!



make a casserole to benefit your community and so much more!

When you Cook For A Cause, you’re benefitting those less fortunate in your community - that’s a given. You’re also doing so much more!

  • Learning a skill - cooking - and practicing a bit of math, science, and art along the way!

  • Engaging in an activity

  • Spending time with family, or just engaging in some quiet time by yourself.

  • And having fun (we hope!)


 

learn more about local school food pantries

Many of our local community schools have started their own food pantries to meet the needs of their families.

For example, at the Monroe, Moulton, and Capital View Elementary School pantries, nearly 150 families will drive thru each week to pick up food - in the form of groceries and ready to heat meals if available.

Students at Des Moines Public Schools have access to a food pantry to give them extra food to tide them over from one day to the next, since they are not in school every day this year, receiving both breakfast and lunch. And, once a week, families are able to come to the pantry to receive food. These are primarily shelf stable goods that they can take home and prepare. They rarely have the opportunity to take home ready to heat items.


Choose and Download a recipe (or two!)