KidFlix Brings Food, Fun, and Community to South Jersey Families
Children and parents at the KidFlix program by Loving Our Cities at The Perfecting Plaza. Photo by Monique Howard.
BY MONIQUE HOWARD | For AC JosepH Media
SEWELL — With the rising cost of groceries and impending budget cuts to SNAP benefits by the Trump administration, The Perfecting Church affiliate Loving Our Cities has partnered with the Food Bank of South Jersey to offer some relief for families navigating uncertain times.
The partnership brings KidFlix, a free eight-week program that provides dinners, snacks, and family-friendly movies for children under 18 in the community. The program runs Thursdays from July 10 through Aug. 28, from 2-4 p.m. at the Perfecting Plaza.
In addition to dinner and a movie, children in attendance receive a week’s worth of pre-packaged meals to take home, ensuring food security during the summer recess.
The third annual KidFlix has attracted families from surrounding communities, including Glassboro and Williamstown.
For Angela Brown, co-founder and executive director of Loving Our Cities, the program is about more than food — it’s about building a sense of community and serving with empathy and compassion.
“With Loving Our Cities, the most fundamental thing we can do is feed people — to make sure kids have equitable access to nutritious food,” Brown explained.
“So, we feed people, but what I absolutely love about KidFlix is that it allows us to serve the whole family in a way that honors, respects, and values their dignity.”
Brown hopes KidFlix offers an enriching experience for children during summer break.
“We’ll give y’all some meals to go — it’s the least we can do. Everybody deserves access, right? To healthy food, good education, quality enrichment. So, we’re hoping we’re helping fill that gap during the summer,” she said.
The idea for the community meal program originated with Catherine Hankins, who approached Brown after her home-based partnership with the Food Bank of South Jersey came to an end.
“It’s bridging the gap, but also for me, it’s sharing the love of Christ,” Hankins stated.
“Kids are my passion. I really want to show and teach them the love of Christ. And this is an opportunity for us to do that — in a fun way.”
Gloucester County residents like Amanda Belk of Glassboro and Arlene Roach of Williamstown are grateful for the program.
“I teach in the public school in Glassboro as well,” Belk said. “So with that, I’m off for the summer, and I have two young kids. KidFlix really helps our family out because the price of everything is going up astronomically.”
Belk and her two sons, ages four and six, first attended KidFlix last year after hearing about it from another mom in a South Jersey parenting group.
“I needed something to keep them occupied, and it was just a great experience,” she commented.
“They loved the games and the food beforehand. I love that I don’t have to spend $100 to take them to a movie. And then, that food at the very end really helps with, you know, food security.”
As a teacher on summer break, Belk’s dual-income household temporarily becomes a single-income home.
Roach returned to KidFlix for the second year with her two granddaughters.
“The summer highlight is coming here every week,” Roach stated. “They look forward to it . Is it Thursday yet?”
Isaiah Hammond, project manager at Loving Our Cities, believes KidFlix is about more than meals — it’s a meaningful day out for families.
“We’ve served roughly 80 children since we started,” Hammond said.
“It’s amazing to see everyone come out and enjoy it. We’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback. This is our third year doing it, and we’ve seen continuous growth each year.”
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