The Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank is starting up its summer programming from June 22 to Aug. 24, with new programs to engage kids and promote healthy eating and physical activity.

“Food and Fun at Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank” is designed to help provide healthy meals and a space for activities, said Heidi Dukich, director of the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank.

“This program recognizes the needs of the community and summer time can present a challenge for families to provide healthy meals,” Dukich said.

“This program meets the nutrition gap in the summer. The highlight of that is the shopping. Families and children are shopping for food they will eat.”

From 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, children at the food bank will be able to choose from a healthy selection of breakfast, lunch and snack items.

According to Dukich, the shopping program is much more effective than giving children prepackaged lunches because by letting them interact and choose what they want, they become more engaged with making healthy choices.

Partnerships with the YMCA and King County Library system will also bring in new activities for children.

The food bank will also provide school supplies at the end of summer for children. Along with school supplies there will also be a drive for new shoes, thanks to a partnership with churches including Snoqualmie Valley Alliance, Mount Si Lutheran Church and Our Lady of Sorrows. Sign-ups for the school supply program and new shoes are being taken at the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank’s main office.

“The collaborations are important,” Dukich said. “We can’t meet the needs alone and the YMCA is very interested in being part of our community and reaching out to our young families and so are the churches.”

The Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank is also looking for volunteers to participate in the food bank’s summer programming.

For more information on the summer programming, including the school supplies and new shoes, and volunteer inquiries visit snoqualmievalleyfoodbank.org or call (425) 888-7832.