Beach Picnic Basket (BPB) is a non-profit organization partner with Cedar Springs Public Schools to identify children who live in food insecure households. BPB celebrated its third year of serving the children of Cedar Springs Public Schools and its second year partnering with Cedar Springs Public Schools. Through Beach Picnic Basket, these children receive a nutritious meal to bring home at the end of every school day as well as an extra breakfast item for the weekend.

As a result of the BPB partnership with the school district, the generous support of the community, and individual volunteers, Beach Picnic Basket served 124 students and is continuing to grow. The organization provided over 19,400 meals to the students of Cedar Springs Public Schools throughout the 2011-2012 school year.

As a non-profit organization, Beach Picnic Basket relies greatly on its partnership with others in the community. By partnering with the Cedar Springs Public School District, the organization is able to easily identify those students who would benefit most from its services. Additionally, CSPS provides a centralized and convenient location for the packing, storage, and delivery of the meals. Beach Picnic Basket also partners with the RITZ 1 program. Students within the R1TZ 1 program volunteer their time packing and delivering the meals. Beach Picnic Basket also relies greatly on the individual donations of members within the Cedar Springs community. If you are interested in donating your time or resources, please contact Robin DeLine at (616) 696-8546 or (616) 696-0350.

By Pastor Darryl Miller

Four years ago, Robin DeLine saw something that she knew wasn’t right. Some of the children at Beach Elementary school were not getting supper. When they left the school, they would not eat another meal until the next day. So she started the Beach Picnic Basket program. Now Robin and a couple of volunteers make and distribute 100 meals a day to students from pre-school to high school seniors. The program is run solely on donations, and more requests are expected as the school year continues.

“We are always in need of volunteers to help make sandwiches and pack the meals,” said Wendy Conely, a volunteer who has been with the program since it’s beginning. Their motto is: “No child in Cedar Springs Public School will go to bed hungry.”

Would you be willing to help? You can contact Robin at the school at 696-0350. Items needed are: peanut butter, jam, fruitcups or puddings, individually wrapped items (granola bars, fruit snack, cookies, etc.), any fresh fruit, bread, Ziplock sandwich and brown lunch bags, and juice pouches. Monetary donations are also welcome, because they are also fortunate enough to be able to purchase items at a reduced price from Feeding America and the North Kent Community Services.