YYAFA provides free lunch, hope

Worried about keeping your kids busy this summer?

A program in Hardin County is providing fun activities and free food for kids.

Whether kids are lining up for lunch, or waiting to be served, they're all enjoying a free program through the Youth Young Adult Fellowship Alliance in Silsbee.

"We know they all get nourishing meals during the school year, but 10-12 weeks during the summer many don't have good meals and some don't have meals at all," says Pastor Mark Smith, founder and president of YYAFA.

Pastor Mark Smith founded the group more than 17 years ago. His goal is to offer an alternative to kids, large and small, during the summer.

"I just like to play basketball," says Jimmy Bean.

"Come up here, play basketball. Its what I like to do, my favorite sport. Come every year," says Waylon Lockett.

Waylon Lockett has been attending the summer program since he was 5. He says along with shooting hoops, he's made new friends.

"Being with all the new people from Beaumont, hanging with my pastor," says Lockett.

"I want them to know somebody cares about them. Cause in many homes they don't get that. In other parts of the county they'll run across a lot of people that don't care," says Smith.

But caring is the name of the game for Smith and his volunteers.

Serving about 300 lunches a day, and providing a court for more than 100.

"Keeps everyone out of trouble, keep them from doing drugs on the streets. Everybody instead of being on the streets are in here trying to play basketball and have a good time," says Lockett.

And with all the kids, comes expansion. The YYAFA is still building to take on even more for the students.

"Get the kids in here and get them on the straight path, they leave with a positive frame of ming and affect those others," says Smith.

Affecting young people across Hardin County, and throughout Southeast Texas, giving them a shot at a better future.

The program runs throughout the summer from 8 A.M. to 2 P.M.

If you would like more information about the program, or if you would like to donate, call 385-7396.