Weymouth House board member Jenny Pendleton has launched a “healthy snacks” for kids program to benefit children at the Bristol Consolidated School. Designed as a supplement to students who are enrolled in the free breakfast and lunch program, the bags are handed out every Friday afternoon in hopes of providing a healthier alternative to sugar filled junk food.
“Every bag has juice, fresh fruit, and a combination of pretzels or crackers,” Pendleton said.
The idea was hatched after a local teacher told Pendleton told of a similar initiative elsewhere. Initially held up by the logistical challenge of storing the food, Pendleton eventually found a partner in the Weymouth House, on Rt. 130 in Bristol.
“The Weymouth is perfect as I’m able to store the snacks in the basement and it’s close to the school,” she said.
Now in its fourth week, a team of volunteers gather Friday afternoon to cut fruit, arrange juice, hand count crackers, and catch up on the previous week. Using an assembly line Henry Ford would be proud of, the volunteers are able to package the snacks in small soft shell coolers in typically under an hour. The number of snack bags fluctuates each week ranging from 26 to 32 with a capacity of 76.
The bags are returned to the school on Monday so they can be filled again on Friday, a nod to sustainability and cost. Pendleton hopes the program will catch on but for now is happy to have a manageable amount of participants. As the popularity of the initiative rises, so does the cost.
“Ideally this would cost around three dollars a child but realistically it runs around five,” she said.
Relying entirely on donations and volunteers, Pendleton received a “generous” gift from the Dollar Store in Damariscotta via a food drive. She has had to use her own money to round out the cost and scans supermarket circulars for good deals on fruit, the priciest item. While designed as a “healthy” program, Pendleton understands “kids are kids” she said, and will slip in a small package of candy to add a little fun.
“I have three kids of my own so I know what they like and don’t like,” she said.
“In this case there’s no good or bad food. It’s food and that’s what matters,” said volunteer and dietician Louise Spate, echoing Pendleton’s sentiments.
Pendleton has also started a thrift store in the basement of the Weymouth House scheduled to open in October with proceeds going toward the healthy snacks program.
“Every little bit helps. I’m hoping that this can be sustainable and a long term program,” she said.
For more information on the healthy snacks for kids program or to donate, contact Jenny Pendleton at 677-2211 or town administrator Kris Poland at the Bristol Town Office 563-5270.
