As Spark mentioned, if you can swing some kind of funds to feeding the fish, I would do it. The way you say your kids are enjoying helping, feeding is fun to do. Most adults enjoy it! Bag of feed costs $40 plus/minus. You could feed by hand, nice chore for the kids. Feeders can get pricey, but as long as you can feed the same time each day by hand, that can get you by for now.
