TOLEDO, Ohio — After-school and summer programs keep kids busy and active.
For Charles Randolph, it's also an opportunity to keep them fed.
Five days a week, rain or shine, dozens of kids gather at Danny Thomas Park to play football as part of the Toledo South Side Packers under the guidance of Randolph, who has coached football for 30 years.
"We got a nice little group of kids, hopefully we can get the spirit of south Toledo back here in Danny Thomas Park," Randolph said.
But running the program isn't cheap and he has to charge parents a one-time $100 fee.
"A lot of the money that we've been given right now, is really supposed to go toward the equipment, but I've been seeing the need and how they're eating," Randolph said. "They're eating everything up, so somebody's hungry."
While he's coaching, Lartisha Williams is doing is prepping the meal for the kids.
"This is what we do, every day after practice," Williams said while cooking. "We make sure the kids are fed."
She comes now and then, even buying some of the food herself. Each time, it's something new.
"That's something that we're doing in the community, trying to make it aware that our kids shouldn't be going to bed hungry at night," Williams said.
Randolph says other kids in the neighborhood often come over for a meal, too.
While he and a small team of volunteers pay for all of the food, Randolph says it's worth every penny.
"I think if we get the hunger under control, that'll get the behavior under control that will get schooling and attendance and all of that going," he said.
Randolph says the program is looking for more volunteers during the summer as more kids are expected to join. Anyone interested in volunteering their time can contact him at 419-344-2348.
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