Mary Alice Reporting – Food bags will be available for pick-up from June 7th to August 11th to ensure a child does not go hungry over the summer months.
The TUFF Bags Summer Meal Program begins this Wednesday with meal bags at their warehouse location, 1060 Cookson Avenue in New Philadelphia, from 1 to 3pm.
Director Lisa Walker ask for pre-registration to ensure enough bags will be prepared for children.
“They can just call or text the cell phone number, 330-401-3283, and just let me know how many children they need bags for and what their pick-up location would be.”
More locations have opened to allow a pick-up, allowing widespread availability in Tuscarawas County.
- Newcomerstown Library (parking lot) every Tuesday, beginning June 13th, from 1-2pm
- Tusky Valley High School (student lot) every Thursday, starting June 8th, from 9-10am
- New Philadelphia Library (parking lot) Thursday’s, opening June 14th, from 2:30-3:30pm
- Claymont Middle School (E. 6th Street) on Friday’s, starting June 9th, from 9-10am
- Dover High school (Tornado Alley) every Friday, starting on June 9th, from 11:30am – 12:30pm
- TUFF Bags warehouse every Wednesday, beginning June 7th, from 1-3pm
Meanwhile, volunteers are needed to help pack the bags, which will be held at the warehouse, Tuesday mornings starting at 9am, and Walker notes that it takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
“Everything will be shelf stable. Most of the items will be single servings or a few times over the summer we will try to do family size bags, and everything will be easy to prepare for little ones to be able to do one their own.”
Online signups can be done by finding the link on the TUFF Bags Facebook page.
She says this summer meal program is essential since many Tuscarawas County children, approximately 5,570, are food insecure and that increases when school is not in session.
Copyright WTUZ Radio Inc., 2023