CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - The Southeast Missouri Food Bank has received a $2,000 grant.

According to the Food Bank, he grant is part of the Restaurant Community Grants program from the Darden Foundation.

The grants program is in its second year. The grant helps each Darden-owned restaurant help award a $1,000 grant to support local community programs, according to the Food Bank.

The donation will support Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s BackPacks For Friday program to Cape Girardeau schools.

“The support from our local Darden partners, Olive Garden and Red Lobster, has been incredible,” said Karen Green, Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s Executive Director “not only do they financially support the program, but throughout the year employees volunteer their time to help further the Food Bank’s mission.”

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - Students came together on Wednesday to discuss current events at the 28th Annual Optimist Youth in Government Day at Cape Girardeeau City Hall.

Students from Cape Central High School, Eagle Ridge Christian School and Notre Dame Regional High School participated. They job shadowed local government officials and saw first hand how city, county and federal government works.

During a mock city council meeting students discussed issues including:

• Urban deer safety
• Scooter safety
• Bicycle lanes
• Outdoor noise and music
• A potential smoking ban
• Texting while driving
• Housing farm animals within the city limits

"This is what controls our lives," said Student City Clerk Sara Coello. "It's something to know how it works. We need to know what we can do about it and its how our lives are managed and we need to be a part of it."

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - The 1st Annual Parker King Showcase will take place on Mother's Day Weekend, May 10-11.

The baseball tournament will be held at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau in honor of 10-year-old Parker King who lost his life in an ATV crash.

Organizers will be selling P4P (Play for Parker) t-shirts, food and will have a raffle.

Money raised goes toward Parker's memorial.

Parker's baseball team is one of the teams organizing the event.

For more information contact Jennifer Gast at 573-986-8922

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