Community rallies around feeding program
When volunteers with Burgettstown Area Community Development Corp. (BACDC) started serving lunch to kids in need this summer, they soon realized that they would have to expand their efforts.
“We knew for some, it was the only meal they were getting,” said Carrie Snatchko, a member of the organization’s Outreach Committee.
So the group put out a call for donations, and soon, they were inundated with food to send home with the kids in the evenings and on the weekends.
“We put it on Facebook and it blew up,” said Snatchko.
The LeMoyne Center in Washington provides the lunches that are distributed Monday through Friday by the BACDC at the Burgettstown Volunteer Fire Department. Distribution began June 11, a Monday. By Wednesday, said Snatchko, volunteers recognized the need to provide food to take home. By that Friday, a sign-up sheet for every weekend of the summer feeding program was filled by volunteers.
Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter
Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter
Volunteers, from left, Stephanie Galish, Melinda Lee and Pam Church serve food provided by BlueLine Rental. The Burgettstown Area Community Development Corp. distributed more than 1,000 meals this summer to local kids in need, and plans to continue outreach with a weekend food program through the school year.
“This really is a small town with a big heart,” said Snatchko, referencing the borough’s motto.
Through the LeMoyne Center, the group has served more than 1,000 meals so far. Through community donations received from organizations like Burgettstown Area Youth Soccer Association, individuals and businesses, they’ve been able to provide take-home food to the 35 to 40 children who come for lunch every day.
But BACDC isn’t stopping there.
Though the feeding program ends Aug. 17, the organization plans to continue to collect and distribute food to district students in need every weekend during the school year. In addition, with the help of Snatchko’s employer, Williams Companies, the group is collecting school supplies and bookbags for students.
Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter
Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter
Carrie Snatchko, a Burgettstown Area Community Development Corp. Outreach Committee member, and Ryan, a Burgettstown student, stopped to pose for a picture during the cookout. Students from the district’s life skills class and from the high school football team volunteered this summer by served meals.
“Other schools have PTAs that do that,” said Snatchko. “We don’t want the teachers to have to buy supplies with their own money.”
Again, as soon as word got out that donations were being accepted, community members stepped up.
Collection points for supplies include the Burgettstown fire department, Smith Township police department, The Hair Store, Heaven Hair, Kramer’s Greenhouse and Kids in Motion Daycare.
The goal is to provide supplies for every student in need.
Luke Snatchko, BACDC president and Carrie’s husband, credited volunteers with keeping the summer feeding program going, and said the group couldn’t have sustained the effort without the help of the fire department, local churches, Burgettstown life skills students and football team members.
There are plans to continue next year, with the hope of expanding to sites throughout the district. Paris Presbyterian Church has already started distributing food. In the future, Luke hopes to establish feeding centers in Langeloth, Eldersville and Atlasburg.
“I’m happy the community rallied around the program like they did,” he said. “Now, we really want to springboard into the school year and keep the momentum going.”
To volunteer or donate, or for Burgettstown families in need of school supplies, email bacdcoutreach@gmail.com. For information, visit the Facebook page BACDC Community Outreach.