An After-School Special in Albany 

by Hugo Bravo  

Any parent of school-age children knows that kids come home from school and rush to the fridge or kitchen pantry for food. But for the children of Giffen Memorial Elementary School in Albany, New York, The Salvation Army is giving them (and their families) a snack boost when the last Monday bell rings.  

On Mondays at 3 p.m., the Salvation Army Albany Temple canteen parks outside Giffen Memorial Elementary and serves Lunchables, fruit, juice, granola bars, milk, cookies, and (when the weather is hot) dairy-free soft-serve ice cream. The Kids Canteen program begins at the end of March, continues through the school year, and starts again in September until mid-November. 

“This started in 2024, even before my husband (Major Joaquin Calvo) and I arrived in Albany,” says Major Kathleen Calvo, associate director of county operations for The Salvation Army in Albany County. “The Salvation Army holds a seat on the community advisory board of Giffen Memorial Elementary. The school shared that truancy was a big problem on Mondays.”  

Now, on Fridays, the school announces that the Kids Canteen will be there on Monday afternoon.  

“From our understanding,” Major Kathleen says, “its presence has helped with kids showing up on Mondays.”  

Major Joaquin, who is the director of county operations and drives the Kids Canteen, says that the vehicle is a tool of evangelism that meets a need for children and their families where they are.  

“We talk to parents and grandparents who come to walk their kids home from school, and we mention the programs we offer, such as summer camp and food pantries,” says Major Joaquin. “The parents are grateful that we’re there. They say that because we serve food, that’s one less snack or meal that they have to provide at home.” 

Major Kathleen says, “Children of families who are barely making ends meet may not have snacks in their house. That’s heartbreaking to me. Kids are always hungry, and after school is when they’re the hungriest.”  

At first, students might be shy about asking for a snack at the canteen, but as the weeks pass, they begin to ask if they can take an extra treat home for their siblings. Even the school’s bus monitors approach the canteen and ask for food to give to the kids who take the bus home.  

“I like that we’ve developed that trust and relationship where anyone there can openly ask for something from the Kids Canteen. They know that we are there for them, and everything we offer comes with love,” says Major Joaquin. “We give seconds, thirds, and keep giving until we run out of food.” 

There have been some inquiries about bringing the Kids Canteen to other schools in the area. 

“We would have to establish a relationship with the school and faculty like we’ve done at Giffen Memorial,” explains Major Kathleen. “We would also need more volunteers, because at that time, most of our volunteers are still working at their day jobs. But it could be something that we try in the future. Word spreads fast among educators and parents.” 

Salvation Army canteens aren’t just present at local emergencies or crisis events. As the Kids Canteen has shown, sometimes the most special ministries involve a bite to eat before walking home from school. 

“The back of our canteen has the words ‘Hope is on the way,’” says Major Kathleen. “I really like that people see this as our message, because hope comes in many forms. And on Mondays, hope arrives as snacks for kids.”