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A Plate

& Play Initiative

Reclaiming 4–6 PM in North Florence with mentorship, meals, and real enrichment — right in the neighborhood.

What It Is

4 PM to 6 PM is when kids are most at risk of falling into negative influences. Plate & Play is our mobile outreach program that shows up during those exact hours — bringing mentorship, a hot meal, and hands-on enrichment directly into North Florence neighborhoods.

This isn't a program families have to travel to find. We meet kids where they are.

Who It's For

Elementary through high school students in North Florence and surrounding underserved neighborhoods — especially where safe, structured after-school options are hard to come by.

We show up as a consistent, visible "Safe Haven" during the hours that matter most.

What Kids Experience

  • 🍽️ A Meal — Because it's hard to learn, grow, or connect on an empty stomach

  • 🤝 Mentorship — Positive role models, on their turf, in their neighborhood

  • 🧠 Leadership Foundations — Age-appropriate lessons in responsibility, teamwork, and confidence

  • 💡 Creative & Critical Thinking — Hands-on projects and discussions that build problem-solving and self-expression

  • ❤️ Character & Emotional Growth — Building resilience and the tools to make positive decisions

Powered By the Community, For the Community

Plate & Play is led by a unique intergenerational team — 11-year-old entrepreneur Talena Johnson of Talena's Golden Grill, and Ms. Cupcake of Piece of Cake Entertainment — bringing food and fun straight to where kids already are.

More Than a Safe Space

Plate & Play also fuels three signature in-school programs your child may benefit from as they grow:

  • STEM Innovative Engineers — Problem-solving and teamwork for tomorrow's technical leaders

  • Workforce Development — Entrepreneurship, leadership, and community-minded business skills

  • SEL: The Author's Club — Helping youth write and own their life story with confidence

Join the Link

Every child deserves a safe, consistent place during the hours that matter most. Bring your child into the Plate & Play community.

[Join the Link]

Questions about locations, schedule, or how to get your child involved? Contact Enter the Cave — we'd love to help.