Businesses and organizations helping kids impacted by the D-60 strike

Nearly 17,000 kids were out of class Monday due to the District 60 teacher strike. There is no word on how long the strike will last, and with so many kids being out of school, businesses and organizations have stepped up to help.

El Centro del Quinto Skate Park, 609 N. Erie Ave., will open early this week for kids out of school because of the strike. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

D-60 is offering free lunches to kids who need it from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Minnequa, Morton, Belmont, Baca and Beulah Heights elementary schools. Students can also go to the Lucero and Rawlings Library branches to get a free lunch.

First Presbyterian Church in Pueblo has offered low-cost childcare for kids in Kindergarten through 8th grade from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. You can email Sara@firstprespueblo.org to make a reservation. You can pay online at www.firstprespueblo.org or by texting 719-623-7275. Check daily, as low demand on Monday may lead to the service being canceled.

The Boys and Girls Club of Pueblo County will be operating from 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. at the East Side and Sprague locations. All current members are welcome. Avondale will be operating its normal hours. The club will try to allow non-member students as space allows.

Pueblo Boy Scouts have an opening for 100 kids. The organization will be running a day camp at Mineral Palace from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. for free through Tuesday with lunch provided.

Safeway on 8th Street will host a food drive where educators and community members can drop off non-perishable food items between 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. each day the strike is happening. Families that need the donations can show up during that between 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. each day of the strike.

Pueblo Zoo will offer half-price admission for all D-60 school children starting Monday and will continue through May 11 in light of the D-60 strike.