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Summer meals program launched Originally published in The Chronicle Vol. 139 July 14, 2021 AURORA BIGGERS chronicle2@countrymedia.net
This summer, St. Helens School District is again partnering with Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a federally-funded, stateadministered program. SFSP reimburses program operators who serve free healthy meals to children and teens in lowincome areas. All children through age 18 can participate in Summer Meals, regardless of their address, income, even town/state in which they reside. St. Helens School District began operating the program in 1976. Sponsors (and potential sponsors) complete training, documents, including proof of site eligibility with the Oregon Department of Education Nutrition Services department. To operate a SFSP site, a school must have greater than 50% free and reduced eligible students or geographically located in an area of identified poverty. Lewis & Clark Elementary has 65% free and reduced
Aurora Biggers / The Chronicle
The student workers at the meal site bag and serve the lunches to parents who drive up to the location.
meal students during the school year, and the middle school is in a geographical area of poverty, according to St. Helens School District Nutrition Director Misty Crawford. “Our free and reduced percentages range from 40-65%; as a distinct wholly 43-45%,” Crawford explained.
Crawford said the program, “offers children an opportunity to continue physical and social development while providing nutritious meals during the summer months and return to school ready to learn.” The program’s motto is “Food That’s In When School Is Out,” and SFSP’s nutrition specialist operate
on a goal to keep children well nourished, physically active, and emotionally cared for both during the school year and when school is out for a length of time, said Crawford. In addition to lunch meals on Monday through Thursday, the students also get a Friday meal, weekend meals sponsored by
Ticor Title, and Monday’s breakfast with their meal on Thursday. The program is run by paid summer volunteers and student workers who are paid minimum wage. Shawnee has been working with the program for six years and is now the Head Cook. “I was leaving a violent home, and it provided an income,” Shawnee said. “I had three kids in the school district, and it just worked. [The program] has built, and I have not stopped.” Since the beginning of the St. Helens School District Sponsored Summer Meal Program, the school has served over 700,000 meals. “We anticipate serving close to 20,000 this summer,” Crawford said. Lewis and Clark is the one site open to the public. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday - Thursday. “We serve summer programs at other schools, to enrolled citizens only.” Crawford said. For more information about the Summer Food Service Program, email Crawford at mistyc@sthelens.k12.or.us.
Sand Island becomes new event location Originally published in The Chronicle Vol. 139 July 14, 2021 STAFF REPORT chroniclenews@countrymedia.net
The City of St. Helens is utilizing nearby Sand Island for local events, the latest to include a sandcastle competition and adventure ride in mid August. Sand Island is a small man-made island situated in the middle of the Columbia River just east of the Old Town District in St. Helens that offers a unique park location. It is home to a new campground established in 2018 with a five-star rating among campers. The island was most recently used for the city’s 4th of July fireworks display. According to a release from the city, world-class sand carvers Wadd Lapp and his wife Brittany are members of a professional carving team helping to coordinate this first ever sandcastle competition on Sand Island. Typically, sand carvers are up against the clock and tide as they scramble to complete their creations. “Sand Island will allow us to not be worried our work is washed out just minutes after completion like at ocean carving sites,”
Courtesy photo from Chris Miller
The first annual Sandcastle Competition takes place on Sand Island Friday, Aug. 13 through Sunday, Aug. 15.
Brittany Lapp said. “It’s going to be the optimal carving experience as there aren’t tides to worry about on the island. We’ll be able to prepare unlike we ever have before, and I know guests will benefit from that. Our creation will be able to last from Friday through Sunday with the benefit of watering techniques we use to keep the carvings healthy and happy.” Wadd and Brittany are part of a professional team that most recently carved
award winning ice sculptures in Alaska. Sand varies in texture and sediment depending on the location which changes what can be formed. On Sand Island, sand will be moved for optimal results, according to the city release. As sand sculpture design work is being finalized by the Lapp family, St. Helens tourism is finalizing the details for a one-of-a-kind guest experience. A river shuttle to the island starts
the day. “When you have a natural resource like Sand Island, you want to utilize it for the community and travelers, too,” St. Helens Event Coordinator Tina Curry said. “A sandcastle competition just seemed like a natural activity and one that would encourage people to visit that don’t want to drive to the coast. Curry said tickets are required to attend the event but she stated they are family priced “and allow for a
wonderful worry-free day on a gorgeous island while you experience the world of sand carving.” In addition to enjoying the large sand carvings, guests can also view smaller creations made in the style of a quick carving competition. Guests that want to get involved can take a class from these experts either day. “You never know how a first event is going to turn out,” Curry said. “But we feel like we’ve got the components and natural resources to make this a complete home run for families to enjoy a carefree day. If they bring a sense of adventure and fun, they’re going to have a great time. We’re also hosting a scavenger hunt for those that want to explore the island further.” The first annual Sandcastle Competition takes place on Sand Island Friday, Aug.13 through Sunday, Aug. 15. To find out more about the Sand Island Adventure Ride, visit discovercolumbiacounty.com Event details and ticket information for the Sand Island Sandcastle competition can be found online at discovercolumbiacounty. com/events/1st-annualsand-island-campgroundsand-castle-competitionaugust-14-15-2020.
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