FEEDING THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY
This ministry originated from the heart of Karen Jones. Because of her work with Head Start, Karen is well aware of the struggles that many low and middle income families face in the area, especially food insecurity. In 2010, she approached members of the First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa, with the idea of starting a summer lunch program for students in the Ballston Spa Central School District community. The first year she did the lunch program they only had about fifteen participants, and utilized premade lunches from a vendor, before one student informed her that the premade lunches were “yucky” and she agreed.
Following that first summer, Karen and others began making all the lunches themselves, including fresh fruits and vegetables, milk or juice, and even pizza every Friday. The program currently serves about 150-200 kids a day, five days a week for the months of July and August, when students are on summer break. The distribution sites span across Ballston Spa so it is accessible for all families.
The program is entirely funded by local businesses, churches, organizations and individuals, and is run by all volunteers. It takes about 60 volunteers each year to keep the program going, and Karen has pulled in volunteers from other local churches, and organizations, school personnel and even whole families who volunteer together, saying “it truly does take a village to make a Summer Lunch Program successful.”
Register for Lunches
Registration forms can be obtain through your school. You may also pick on up at the church or click the button down below. Please return the registration by the end of the school year.
Volunteer To Help
If you are interested in becoming a part of this vital ministry, please click the button down below.
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