Lunch Pals

PALS Logo

The Lunch PALS program pairs a caring adult with an elementary student in need of a positive role model.

By joining that child at school once a week for a 20-minute lunch, volunteers make an investment in the life of the child and the future of the community.

After lunch, there may be time to read a book, play a board game, or just talk. The one-on-one relationships that develop in the Lunch PALS program have been shown to make a profound difference in both the child's and the volunteer's life.

Sign up today to join the Lunch PALS program. 

Because Lunch PALS qualify under Missouri State Law as Screened Volunteers, background checks are required. Click here to learn more about or to begin the background screening process.

PALS volunteer testimonials:

Eating with Students

"Things with my Lunch Pal have been going great!! My little girl practically talks the whole 30 minutes and she is a hoot!! I am having a great time with the program. I am the lucky one!!! I feel very blessed to be surrounded by such good people and children."

"My little PAL is so precious. She started off very shy and has grown so much in such a short time."

"I look forward to Tuesdays to see my girls!"

"After only having lunch with my kiddo 3 times, she has already confided in me and shared with me details of her life that I would've never told an adult at that age."

"We have forged a very positive relationship that begins each week with a hug. My life is better because of the opportunity I have to sit and talk with my Lunch pal each week. Our recent conversations have involved everything from why cussing is bad, to understanding the importance of hand washing, and the idea that Santa still comes to your house even if you can't get a Christmas tree."