Boys & Girls Club Receives Grant from Walmart Foundation

 

 

The Boys & Girls Club of Porter County recently received a $6000 grant through a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Walmart Foundation.  "With the current economic downturn, we've seen a decline in resources while simultaneously receiving a record number of requests from families and children in need, many of whom have never had to ask for public assistance," said Steve Beekman, Director of Operations.

"This grant from the Walmart Foundation is greatly appreciated as it comes at a time when so many families are struggling to provide their children with healthy meals this summer," Beekman said. "We are able to step up and help our families during these hard economic times."

The Summer Serving Grant is helping the Boys & Girls Club of Porter County provide hundreds of lunches and snacks to needy kids through its summer food program.

"We continue to see the impact that the economy is having on our neighbors. They are stretching their budgets and looking to us for help in our stores and through our giving," said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation.

"Hunger relief is a cause that enables our company's strengths to work for the greater good. From supporting summer feeding programs to donating food, we're committed to doing all we can to help end hunger for our nation's children, parents, homeless and all who have found themselves in need," McKenna said.

The Walmart Foundation is working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to provide wholesome meals and snacks to more than 93,000 children who may otherwise have gone without adequate food over the summer.

The Boys & Girls Club of Porter County is one of 350 Boys & Girls Clubs receiving assistance from the Walmart Foundation to help the increasing number of people who turn to hunger relief organizations to provide for their families during difficult financial times.

The Boys & Girls Club of Porter County provides programs for children ages 5 to 18. Programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach.

The club is open 11:00 to 5:20 p.m. Monday through Friday with a summer day camp starting at 6:30 a.m.  The club operates facilities in Valparaiso, South Haven, Duneland and Portage.  Those interested in joining the club, learning more about summer programs or other youth programs can call (219) 464-7282 or visit www.bgcpoco.org