Crock-pots for homeless families

There are thousands of homeless kids in Tampa bay, and when school lets out for the summer, times get tougher for many of these children.

In Polk County, the school district is giving crock pots to homeless families with kids, because they provide an easier way to cook food in a cramped motel room.

They are calling it the Crock-Pot Project.

Kids at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in Lakeland just kicked off their own Crock-Pot Project.

On Monday, they gave two dozen crock-pots, handmade cookbooks with simple recipes, and enough food to make one meal, to the homeless liaison for the school district.

Homeless advocates say more homeless families are living in motels these days, and need a quick, easy way to make a meal.

"The crock-pot is a perfect solution," said Dee Dee Wright, Polk Schools' homeless liaison.

Wright hopes this pilot project convinces other schools, churches and groups to fly with the idea as well.

Along with helping homes families, the Crock-Pot Project is making kids at Lawton Chiles ponder something that most young teens don't think about: kids their age without a roof over their heads.

Jaylacia Lewis has been thinking about how different her life is.

"They sometimes don't have someone who is there for them," she said. "It is just lonely."

If you want to take part, or set up a Crock-Pot Project in your area, call Dee Dee Wright, the Polk County Schools homeless liaison, at (863) 534-0500.