Organizations offer contributions to program for kids, families

The meal is designed to promote thanks for working families and teachers.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Local organizations have joined with donations for a "Thanksgiving Feast" scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursdayfor pupils and families of the Youngstown Afterschool Alliance, Hayes Middle School, 1616 Ford Ave. on the city's North Side.
This event is designed to bring together kids and their families so they can celebrate and show thankfulness for the things in their lives and communities.
The feast is designed to give thanks to working families, to teachers that inspire learning, to agencies providing opportunities, and to celebrate coming together as an Afterschool Family.
Locally, Giant Eagle, Roscoe's Poultry Inc. and Save-a-Lot in Liberty have donated various food items. Other community partners include Harambee, Students Motivated by the Arts (SMARTS), O & amp;T Specialized Training Group, American Karate Studios, Exousia Rehabilitation, and Prevention Partners Plus. The event will feature a Thanksgiving meal, along with the pupils' affirmations of thanks.
Value of afterschool programs
Statistics show that more than 28 percent of K-12 youth in Ohio take care of themselves each afternoon. Additionally, children who are left unsupervised between 3 and 6 p.m. are more likely to engage in at-risk behaviors, which may include crime, experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex.
Quality afterschool programs provide safe, challenging, engaging and fun learning experiences to help children and youth develop their social, emotional, physical, cultural and academic skills, school officials say.
Additionally, afterschool programs support working families by ensuring their children are safe and productive after the regular school day ends, and engage families, schools and community partners in advancing the welfare of children, officials add.