SUNBURY – There are 450 bags of food being distributed every weekend to hungry kids in the Shikellamy School District through the Caring For Kids program. Pam Barni of Caring For Kids says hunger is a real problem in the Valley.
Barni explained, “We will often see people who will tell their children you are going to have to skip the meals today because we had to repair the car. Our numbers increase during a harsh winter like this winter. Our numbers will go up and then we will get nice opt-out letters once spring hits, saying we are okay now and we can provide food.”
Barni says there are a number of reasons for food insecurity, “ The basic line is there are children who are hungry and they need to be fed and we are taking care of that.”
An upcoming fundraiser will support the Caring For Kids program. Nottingham Village is hosting their 2nd Annual 5K Run and Walk to benefit Caring for Kids.
Sue Wert, nursing home administrator, helps organize the event, “We were able to raise about $2,500 last year for Caring For Kids, along with some non-perishable food items that were also donated. We are hoping to raise even more this year. We are still accepting donations such as monetary items, food items for the race day or just non-perishable food items for the kids.”
New at this year’s event is a Kid’s Fun Run, which will follow the 5K race. The race is Saturday, May 16 at 9 a.m. at Nottingham Village in Northumberland. To register, you can contact Sue Wert at 570-473-8366. Wert and Barni were guests on WKOK Sunrise. You can listen online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)