Local groups join together to feed children this summer

For some children in Birch Bay, worry settles in the pit of their stomach at the thought of summer break, when eating three meals a day isn’t guaranteed.

The regular school lunches that sustained them throughout the year will disappear during summer break, and programs that provide meals during the summer like the Boys and Girls Club may simply be too far away.

“Because Birch Bay is so far from Blaine, a lot of kids get left out,” said Sarah Zaremba.

Along with the Healthy Youth Coalition, Zaremba and her local church, Christ the King Community Church North Bay (CTK), are putting on a food drive and weekly bake sale with the intention of supplying children in need with enough groceries to sustain them each week.

Each Wednesday from June 19 to August 21, free youth events will be offered at CTK from 5 to 7 p.m. Children of all ages and their parents are welcome to stop by for dinner, music and games. At these events, Birch Bay kids can also grab a bag of groceries from a food pantry on site, stocked with the fruits of the food drive.

“We’re hoping to get enough to give them three meals a day to take with them, though it will depend on the needs of the children,” Zaremba said.

Zaremba heard about this need from staff at the school district, who have daily interactions with the kids and say there just isn’t enough for them to eat. When she ran into Healthy Youth Coalition president Jesse Creydt recently, he echoed the same concern.

With little time to organize before school is out, Zaremba and the Healthy Youth Coalition pulled together a plan and are trying to spread the word. Flyers will be sent out to every child in the Blaine school district to notify them of this resource.

“The Healthy Youth Coalition is excited to partner with CTK to bring together Birch Bay youth and families to share a meal, connect to local resources and have some summer fun,” Creydt said in a statement.

The community can show support by frequenting the bake sale, which will happen every Saturday at the Blaine Farmers Market, and dropping off goods at the food drive boxes available at The Market at Birch Bay in Birch Bay Square, the Pizza Factory in Blaine or at the Blaine Farmers Market.

“Many local youth experience food insecurity, especially over the summer,” Creydt said. “In a small community we can fix this, but it will take a mobilizing community-wide effort.”

For special requests for the bake sale or to inquire about direct donations, email bbbbakesale@gmail.com.