The Rotary Club of Yelm is bringing their community together to serve a need in feeding children this summer. This is the 2nd summer of their summer food program, nicknamed the “12 Weeks of Summer”.
Pictured: #5 packing crew, the largest one to date
The target is to reach children who are receiving free and reduced lunches during the school year. When school is out, their need for nourishment continues. So, each week through the summer you will find Rotary members, and other community volunteers, busy packing 160 – 200 bags of food for the kids. Last summer they distributed over 1800 bags and they expect to do even more this year!
Their week #5 packing crew pictured above was the largest one they have had to date, because as the word gets out, more and more people and businesses are coming to help.
Each Sunday afternoon begins by picking up their load of food from Walmart.
The truck then makes the 1 mile trip to the Yelm Senior Center, where the food is unloaded.
The truck then makes the 1 mile trip to the Yelm Senior Center, where the food is unloaded.
An assembly line is formed to bag the food in re-useable grocery bags donated by local business partners. The club has it down to an art and can have all the food unloaded and bagged in less than 2 hours!
Tuesday morning the teams pick up the bagged food and head out to meet the kids and parents at our distribution points. We are serving many new families this year as well as those we served last year. The need is there and they are grateful for the extra help.
Lackamas, one of our local elementary schools created notes to go in the bags.
The total estimated cost of the summer program is $18,000. The club was approved for a $3,500 district grant, and The Nisqually Tribe awarded us another grant of $5,000. Walmart of Yelm not only discounts the weekly food purchases, but also awarded the club a $2,500 grant to help us with this important mission. We cover the rest with Club funds and other donations from supportive community members.