By Layston Badham
On a recent August morning, when most teenagers still were shuffling out of bed, the Parish Hall at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown was buzzing with hungry kids.
Children from Principe de Paz, an evangelical congregation that worships at St. Peter’s, were racing to line up for a healthy meal after a series of activities at the church’s Bilingual Summer Bible Camp.
On the hall’s stage were book bags filled with school supplies for the upcoming year, and Walmart “Growing Healthy Kids” bags replete with hearty snacks to continue the healthy eating at home.
Walmart has teamed with the Morristown Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center to boost the center’s healthy foods program.
The megastore chain has pledged $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger nationwide.
“This is a wonderful event, great preparation for kids,” said camp volunteer R.J. Meyer, as the kids chowed down.
Healthy eating is an important part of the summer day camp, which is designed to “provide kids a Christian opportunity that is affordable for parents” that includes Scripture and exercise in an exceptional learning environment, said Dee Klikier of St. Peter’s.
Activities range from art and computer time to swim trips and visits to the Liberty Science Center.
Morristown Green contributor Layston Badham is a student at Morristown High School.