For one special week this summer, children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma had the chance to do something many people take for granted. They laughed with friends, swam, fished, celebrated birthdays, sang songs, performed in a talent show, and simply enjoyed being kids.
Midwest Food Bank was honored to be part of that experience through a children’s charity partnership with Royal Family Kids Camp. By helping provide food for the week, we supported an environment where children could focus on building friendships, making memories, and experiencing the care of trusted adults. Every meal became part of something much bigger than food.Â
Â
A Camp Designed for Children in Need
Royal Family Kids Camp is a week-long summer camp created specifically for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or time in the foster care system. Unlike a traditional summer camp, every part of the experience is intentionally designed to help children feel safe, valued, and cared for. The program uses trauma-informed practices, including Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), to help campers build trust, strengthen self-esteem, and create positive memories in a supportive environment.
For many campers, this may be the only week of the year that is focused entirely on them. Each child is paired with caring adult volunteers who encourage, celebrate, and support them throughout the week. Instead of competition, camp activities emphasize participation, friendship, and confidence. Whether they are fishing, swimming, making crafts, celebrating birthdays, or performing in the talent show, every moment is designed to remind children that they matter and that they are not alone.
This year’s theme, based on John 10:27, reminded campers that they have a Good Shepherd who knows them and walks beside them. That message was reinforced not only through Bible lessons but through the kindness of every volunteer, sponsor, and community partner who helped make camp possible.Â
Â
How Midwest Food Bank Helped
A successful camp depends on many people working together. Volunteers give their time. Churches open their facilities. Donors provide resources. Community partners help meet practical needs.
Midwest Food Bank Arizona was honored to help provide food for campers, volunteers, and staff throughout the week. While meals are a practical need, they also become part of the camp experience. Every breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack allows campers to spend less time worrying about basic needs and more time building friendships, trying new activities, and simply enjoying childhood.
Children’s charity partnership reflects Midwest Food Bank Arizona’s broader commitment to serving children and strengthening nonprofit organizations across the state. In addition to supplying food to agencies that support families every day, the Arizona division works alongside schools through its Hope Packs program, helping children have food over the weekend, and partners with local organizations and community events that raise resources to fight hunger. Each partnership extends the reach of nonprofits that are already making a difference in their communities.
Supporting Royal Family Kids Camp is another example of that mission in action. By helping meet the camp’s food needs, Midwest Food Bank allowed camp leaders and volunteers to focus on creating a safe, welcoming environment where children could experience joy, belonging, and hope throughout the week.
A Message of Hope
The camp theme this year came from John 10:27:
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Throughout the week, campers were reminded that they have a Good Shepherd who knows them, loves them, and walks beside them. That message was reinforced not only through Bible lessons, but also through the kindness shown by volunteers, sponsors, and community partners. Every act of generosity helped demonstrate that these children are seen, valued, and remembered.
Thank You for Making This Possible
Royal Family Kids Camp shared its gratitude following this year’s camp: “Because of your generosity, Royal Family Kids Camp 2026 was an incredible success.”
Those words reflect the impact that children’s charity made possible through countless acts of generosity from volunteers, donors, churches, and community partners.
At Midwest Food Bank, we are grateful for the opportunity to support ministries that care for vulnerable children and our donors and volunteers who make this possible. Every partnership represents another opportunity to serve people with dignity while strengthening communities. This children’s charity partnership reminds us that meeting practical needs can also help create moments of hope that children carry with them long after camp ends.
Continue Serving Together
Royal Family Kids Camp is one example of what can happen when nonprofits, churches, volunteers, donors, and community partners work together to meet both practical and emotional needs for children’s charity.
Midwest Food Bank is grateful to support organizations that care for children, families, and communities every day. By providing food, water, and other essential resources to nonprofit partners, we help them focus on the people they serve and the missions that change lives.
We are thankful to everyone who makes children charity and other hunger relief possible. Every donation, every volunteer, and every partnership helps extend the reach of organizations like Royal Family Kids Camp and creates opportunities for more children to experience care, encouragement, and hope.
Learn more about Royal Family Kids Camp by visiting https://rfk.org.
Explore volunteer opportunities with Midwest Food Bank by visiting https://www.midwestfoodbank.org/volunteer.
Learn more about how Midwest Food Bank partners with nonprofits to fight hunger by visiting https://www.midwestfoodbank.org.
