T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Heart of Iowa Big Brothers Big Sisters took “littles” to the Tremont on Main on Monday morning for breakfast. Each table of kids had an adult sitting with them. Enjoying plates of pancakes were Alayna Minjarez, Alexis Rurick, Mia Catron, Aaleaha Catron, Nevea Catron, Elyza Ceren and Allie Catron.

The faces of dozens of children smiled as they sat at the tables of the Tremont on Main on Monday, eating their breakfasts.

The children were all clients of Heart of Iowa Big Brothers Big Sisters. Heart of Iowa Executive Director Lynne Carroll said they take the “littles” out to a meal every year to get them acclimated to sit-down restaurants.

“They learn how to order at a restaurant, use their voice, they’re learning to use their manners and have conversation at the table,” she said. “Often kids, if they go out to eat, it might be fast food. This is a good experience for them.”

Each table of “littles” had an adult sitting there, as well. Carroll said they went over actions such as reviewing the menu and deciding what to order before the server arrives, saying “thank you” when orders are taken and when drinks and food are brought to the table and basic etiquettes such as how to use a napkin.

The adults also had conversation starters in case the kids could not think of anything to talk about. Some of the suggested conversations included what talent the kids would like to have and why, what person they admire and what would they like to know about others sitting at the table.

“It covers how to behave in a public setting,” Carroll said. “It’s about helping kids learn, experience new things and giving them skills they can use when they are older.”

Since there was no school in the Marshalltown Community School District on Monday, she said it was a good day for the meal.

“So many of our kids are used to eating breakfast and lunch at school, so this is an opportunity to make sure they are being fed while interacting with others in a positive way,” Carroll said.

The meal was made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Marshall County. Director Julie Hitchins said the foundation’s focus for this year’s grants was food insecurity.

“Feeding kids when there is no school is definitely a need,” she said. “Coupled with learning how to order at a restaurant, learning etiquette and all of those skills are so very important. The board resonated toward this one and awarded it.”

For anyone who would like to donate to the Heart of Iowa during the holidays, Carroll said they could always use hats and gloves for the kids.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

bradstream@timesrepublican.com.