Summer Food Programs; Local And Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts; The Glass Slipper Project

On the 21st: What different food pantries are doing to help kids get the meals they need during the summer months. Then, a few great options for any last-minute Mother's Day presents. Also, a look into the Glass Slipper Project, a non-profit organization that donates prom dresses. 

The warm weather means we are finally seeing the beginning of summertime. But summertime also means we are in the last few weeks of the school year for many in our state, and although that may be great news for many, it isn't for all. 

For many families and children who struggle with hunger, summer means even greater challenges. 1 in 5 kids in Illinois don't know where their next meal is coming from, and if they're relying on free and reduced lunch at school, the question during the summer is always how to fill in that gap. 
 

On today's show, we talked about what is driving this need across the state, and what local food pantries are doing to get healthy meals to people during the summer months. We were joined by Kim Adams-Bakke, the Executive Director of the Rock River Valley Food Pantry, and Molly Delaney, Vice President of Development at the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. 

Then—

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday, and if you haven’t yet gotten something special for your mom, or your grandmother, aunt or mother to your own kids, don’t worry - it’s not too late. There are a lot of great ways to say thank you while still supporting makers and bakers here in Illinois. 

And a few of them joined us on the show today. Joshua Baker is the owner of Cocoa Blue Chocolates in Rochester Illinois, just outside Springfield. Melanie Dineen is from Springfield at the bakery and cafe Incredibly Delicious. And Jill Miller is from Hooey Batiks. 

Plus—

Springtime means it’s time for for the glitz and glam of prom for high schoolers across the state. But, between the dress, shoes, hair, nails, ticket and transportation, attending prom nowadays can cost hundreds of dollars.

Every year since 1999, one Chicago based non-profit has made the financial burden a little bit lighter for some local teens. The Glass Slipper Project collects donated new and gently used dresses, shoes, and accessories and provides them to high school juniors and seniors at no cost.

It’s a full service process as the girls and their personal shoppers move from dresses to shoes to accessories. They can even get alterations.

We were joined today by Liz Kores who sits on the board of directors for The Glass Slipper Project, as well as Shayla Beich, a senior at Amundsen High School who recently got her dress from The Glass Slipper Project.