FREE FAMILY DINNER PROGRAM GROWING IN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

BLUFFS — Families in the Bluffs school district are being invited to take part in a growing program aimed at bringing families back together around the dinner table.

The Family Dinner Project, a nationwide initiative focused on encouraging shared family meals, has been introduced locally through a grant-supported effort in the district. The program allows families to attend a free dinner event while also receiving ingredients to prepare additional meals at home.

The effort is being organized by special education teacher Haley Sharrow, who said the goal is to help families reconnect during one of the few consistent opportunities they have to spend time together.

Sharrow said the program also addresses common challenges families face, including meal planning fatigue. As part of the initiative, families are given simple meal ideas and ingredients for dishes such as spaghetti, meatball subs, pizza kits, and chicken alfredo.

The district received a $4,000 grant from the Tracy Family Foundation to fund the program.

Participation has steadily increased, with six families attending the first dinner in March and 14 families attending the second event in April. Organizers say word-of-mouth has helped expand awareness as families share their experiences.

The final dinner of the school year, scheduled for May, will feature a cookout theme. Families must have at least one student enrolled in the district, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, to participate. Reservation details will be sent home with students.

School officials say they plan to apply for the grant again later this year to continue the program.