CLEARFIELD – School is almost out, the sun is shining and the grass is greener.
Parents are busy planning and sometimes scrambling to find safe, fun places for their children to go.
The Clearfield Salvation Army has a few programs that both parents and children will love.
Lunch and Literacy
It can be difficult to keep children reading and excited about learning during the summer months.
The Salvation Army is not only pleased to be launching its Lunch and Literacy program for the third year, but also to be partnering with the Joseph & Elizabeth Shaw Public Library this year.
The Summer Reading Program at the Shaw Library will begin taking registration June 4 with the theme, “Libraries Rock.”
It will run for seven weeks at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the summer. It has reading programs, activities and incentives for pre-school through young adults.
Libraries Rock will focus on music, geology and physical fitness. It will kick off June 12 at 1 p.m. with a magic show and more.
As families leave the library, the Salvation Army will be ready to serve lunch outside from its mobile feeding canteen in the parking lot of Upper Witmer Park at 11:15 a.m.
It was noted that:
- children do not need to attend the library program to receive lunch.
- The Salvation Army will be there Monday through Friday.
- This year this is the Summer Food Lunch site.
- The lunch, along with all the library programs, are all free to children. (Adults are welcome to buy a lunch for $3).
- There aren’t any income qualifications to be part of the program. It is open to everyone.
- Following Upper Witmer Park at 12:15 p.m., the mobile feeding canteen will then go to Edgewood Housing complex, where SA workers will offer lunch to all and read to children as they eat.
- The only rule is that families will need to sit and eat the lunch there. No lunches can be taken from the park.
- The Salvation Army will frequently have free books and other treats, as well.
To help prepare for this program, SA workers are running a book drive for the last month of the school year.
New or gently-used children’s and young adult books can be donated at the following locations: CNB Bank, Billy’s Burger Land and Save-A-Lot.
Books can always be dropped off when the Salvation Army’s center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sleep Away Camp
The Salvation Army will also send kids, ages 6-13 years, to its regional camp located in Ellwood city, Pa.
The local Salvation Army will transport them to the camp where they stay for a week, Monday through Friday, doing arts and crafts, swimming, hiking, archery and more more.
The cost runs from $25 – $100 for a week, depending on income. No child who completes the application is turned away because of financial stress.
The application does require a doctor’s form. Camps run throughout the summer with different themes and age restrictions for each so, call for more information.
Tools 4 School
As the summer begins to come to an end, the Salvation Army will be gearing up for its annual Community Tools 4 School event.
Tools 4 School will be held Aug. 18, starting at 10 a.m. at the Salvation Army, 119 Byers St., Clearfield.
This event allows social service agencies a chance to highlight their services to the community, provides free backpacks and school supplies to school-age children and is also a fun, family day that excites children to return to school.
There aren’t any income guidelines for this event; all local children are welcome. To attend, all children need to be registered by calling the main office. Also, there will be similar events in Morrisdale and Houtzdale; families are asked to only attend one.
The Salvation Army thanks the community for helping its workers to help others. To donate financially or volunteer with this or other programs like it, please call 814-765-4981.