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Opinion: Community Lunch Program for Kids appreciates community generosity

Posted 1/2/24

In 2023 we watched the price of everything go up, up, up! But thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, The Community Lunch Program for Kids was able to address the needs of local families …

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Opinion: Community Lunch Program for Kids appreciates community generosity

Posted

In 2023 we watched the price of everything go up, up, up! But thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, The Community Lunch Program for Kids was able to address the needs of local families facing food insecurity over summer vacation, as well as during breaks throughout the school year of 2023.
We are the only organization in St. Lawrence County that assists children facing food insecurity when schools are closed during the summer vacation and breaks during the school year. There are summer feeding programs, and of course, Snack Pack programs; but when children are out of school for a week or more for Christmas break, mid-winter break or spring break, how does a family provide the extra 10 meals (per child) for the week?
During 2023 CLPK distributed the equivalent of over 21,000 meals to local children facing food insecurity. Since we started our program in 2016, we have assisted more than 500 unique children from more than 200 unique families living in the Norwood, Norfolk, Raymondville area! However, we realize that we would only be a small group of people with good intentions, if not for the individuals, businesses, churches, and civic organizations who support our mission.
Though we sent out individual thank yous to all our donors this fall, we would like to publicly thank the following businesses, churches and civic groups for their kind and generous support:

First, we would not even exist without the incredibly generous support we receive from the Food Bank of Central New York. They are our lifeline.
We would also like to thank The Adirondack Foundation, St. Andrews Altar Rosary Society, American Legion Riders #925, Bill Rapp Chevrolet of Ogdensburg, Cafe 56, Cassella WSM, Community Bank NA, Corning Inc., Donaldson Funeral Home, Elks Massena #1702, Elks Potsdam #2074, First United Methodist Church of Norfolk, Golub Foundation (Price Chopper), J.C. Merriman Inc, Knights of Columbus-Norfolk, Knowlton and Son, Lyra-Luarentian Chapter #230, Napoli Group-Massena
McDonalds, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Northern New York Community Foundation, Norwood-Norfolk Teachers Association, Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department, New York State Power Authority-IBEW and Management, Parish of the Visitation and St. Raymond Altar Rosary Society, Potsdam Price Chopper, Raquette River Lions Club, St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, St. Philip’s Episcopal Guild, Stewart’s Foundation, United Methodist Church of Raymondville, United Way of NNY, Upper NY Conference United Methodist Women, Massena Walmart, and Potsdam Walmart.
Thanks so much to these incredibly generous groups of people who allow us to continue our mission of serving children who face food insecurity.
It takes a village to raise a child. And we are so pleased to have these groups as a part of our village.
Happy New Year!
Wendy Chambers, Director
The Community Lunch Program for Kids