It has been a long and cold winter but spring is finally here. Soon the children of Lake County will be out of school on summer break. Being here during the summer months is extremely important for our guest families. The majority of the children receive free school lunch during the school year. When summer arrives providing an extra meal and snacks for children becomes an added burden to our families.

We are all busy during the warm months, but please consider doing one food collection activity per month to help our Lake County neighbors. There are many fun ways to collect food. Hold a pool party and ask guests to bring a few non-perishable food items instead of a dish to pass. If you have a summer birthday ask guests to donate a food item in lieu of gifts. Theme parties are becoming very popular maybe a “Spring Cleaning” party, collect dish soap, toilet tissue, tooth paste, etc.… or how about a “Baby Shower” and have your guests donate baby food, diapers and baby formula. Volunteer experiences can be very educational for children, please get them involved.

COOL West has now been open just over a year. We are continuing to grow month to month. In 2007 we served 32,064 meals to our neighbors in Western Lake County. I would like to extend special thanks to all the volunteers at Trinity Lutheran Church that have opened their hearts to make COOL West possible. A special thank you to Judy Perryman, temporary Volunteer Pantry Supervisor, for COOL West. Judy has donated many hours of hard work to make this mission a reality.

Please remember: Donating one jar of peanut butter, cost: $2.29, donating one box of cereal cost: $2.99, the volunteers that so selflessly donate their time at COOL Pantry East: Priceless. Thank you everyone for partnering with COOL to help fight hunger in Lake County.