Community Partnerships Help Keep Free Lunches Available for Local Children and Teens

Sometimes the greatest acts of kindness begin with something simple—someone recognizing a need and deciding to help.

This summer, Leroy and Julia Kopp recognized a need to help children and teens while school was out. Through New Horizons Food/Fitness Center in St. Marys, they launched the Free Lunches for Kids & Teens initiative, providing free grab-and-go lunch bags throughout the summer. What began as one act of kindness quickly grew into a community-wide effort as individuals, businesses, organizations, and volunteers stepped forward with donations of food, supplies, and financial support.

Free Lunches for Kids & Teens are available to any child or teenager who needs it. There are no income guidelines or registration requirements. Grab-and-go lunch bags are available Monday through Friday at New Horizons Food/Fitness Center. Lunches are available inside the store Monday through Thursday, and on Fridays they are placed on a table outside the store for convenient pickup. To reach even more families, New Horizons has collaborated with businesses throughout Elk County to make lunches available at additional community locations. Current pickup locations and times are posted on the New Horizons Food/Fitness Center Facebook page.

Inspired by the impact of the initiative, Lisa and Rob Mancuso recently made a charitable gift through the Smile for Tyler Fund, established at the Elk County Community Foundation in memory of their son, Tyler. Through conversations with Patty Greene, Lisa learned that by partnering with Messengers Supporting Recovery, the Smile for Tyler Fund could help support the Free Lunches for Kids & Teens initiative. The collaboration between the Smile for Tyler Fund, Messengers Supporting Recovery, and New Horizons Food/Fitness Center demonstrates how organizations can work together to meet local needs.

“This is what community is all about,” said Tiffany Boschert, Executive Director of the Elk County Community Foundation. “When people recognize a need and choose to work together, lives are changed. Lisa honored Tyler’s memory by helping others, Patty helped bring organizations together, and Leroy and Julia inspired our community to step forward. That’s what neighbors helping neighbors looks like.”

The Elk County Community Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to Lisa and Rob Mancuso, Patty Greene, Messengers Supporting Recovery, Leroy and Julia Kopp, New Horizons Food/Fitness Center, and the many individuals, businesses, and volunteers who have contributed to this effort. Their willingness to work together reflects the caring spirit that makes Elk County such a special place.

Those interested in supporting the Free Lunches for Kids & Teens initiative are encouraged to contact New Horizons Food/Fitness Center to donate, volunteer, or learn more about pickup locations.

Sometimes the greatest impact begins with one person recognizing a need. Thanks to the generosity of neighbors helping neighbors, this community effort will continue helping ensure local children and teens have access to food throughout the summer.

For more information about the Smile for Tyler Fund or the Elk County Community Foundation, please contact the Foundation at 814-834-2125 or visit www.elkcountyfoundation.org.