Less fortunate kids in Decatur County who are used to eating one or two hot meals a day at school will be fed lunch by Kids n Kops every weekday through July 12.

Kid n Kops, an initiative started by Bainbridge Public Safety officers last fall, is dedicated to sealing the widening gap between youth and police officers. Local cops find fun ways to interact with kids, letting them know they are not to be feared, but trusted.

Feeding kids hot meals during the months they may not normally have them is just another part of the program Kids n Kops volunteer and BPS officer Kenneth Ellison and crew are providing.

“Most of the inner-city kids here in Decatur County are less fortunate,” Ellison said. School is probably one of the only places they can get a hot meal. That’s what Kids N Kops is doing, giving them a hot meal through the Decatur County Board of Education.”

Tuesday, kids’ plates were filled with chicken and rice, black-eyed peas, broccoli and a banana. Milk and chocolate milk were available to drink.

Volunteer Liz Tomlin goes out to pick up kids herself, loading them in her car and bringing them to the BPS headquarters to pick up their lunches.

“The last day of school was May 25,” Tomlin said. “Some of those kids think we’re crazy, because they know they won’t get two hot meals a day. Maybe they’ll get a snack or something. With this program, at least we know they are going to get one full meal. It’s a blessing.”

This Saturday, Kids n Kops will hold a Bike Rodeo and Child Safety Day, where BPS officers will escort kids on their bikes from Jones-Wheat Elementary School down Broughton Street to the Earle May Boat Basin, where participants will enjoy a bicycle safety presentation and snacks.

Saturday, June 25, Kids n Kops will host a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the Bill Reynolds Sports Park. Download registration forms at kidsandkops.com.