Join the Newton Food Pantry in putting together Kid’s Bags!

Kid’s Bags will be distributed to every child in a family that shops on Wednesday afternoon at the pantry location at Newton City Hall. The bags will be filled with a variety of child-friendly snack foods and drinks meant to be enjoyed by kids between meals during the school week.

Each Kid’s Bag must include the following:

● 1 or 2 individual containers of Chef Boyardee spaghetti, Mac & Cheese or similar pasta (2.5 – 5 oz serving size)
● 1 snack size fruit cup ( Dole Mandarin oranges, peaches or mixed fruit)
● 1 fruit (apple sauce) or / & vegetable pouch
● 1 or 2 Quaker oatmeal packets
● 1 granola bar, any kind (NO peanuts or nuts)
● 1 small single serving boxed milk (white or chocolate)
● 1 Capri Sun (or similar) 100% juice box or packet
● 1 Keebler (or similar) snack size cracker pack
● 1 Popcorn, Pop Corners snack bag, Goldfish or Cheez-It packet

Once you have filled 30 (or more!) Kid’s Bags, they can be dropped off at the NFP, Newton City Hall, War Memorial Auditorium two times per month beginning on Thursday, February 18th between 10:00 and 11:00 am and Saturday, February 20th, between 9:00 and 11:00 am.

Also, since children find so much joy in self-expression, it is the hope that the bags will be “decorated” for all to enjoy and that you will consider working with your child(ren), family members, neighbors, or groups on decorating Kid’s Bags!

The guidelines for decorating bags are the following:

● White paper bags must be 8” x 4.75” x 10” with handles. These can be ordered on Amazon (similar to https://amzn.to/3oU98ph) or purchased at Michael’s (similar to  http://bit.ly/3aEEzPl).
● All art must be non-secular and appropriate for all children in our diverse community. “Free art” is encouraged as are seasonal (winter, spring, etc.) themes, original patterns and designs. Please no representations of holidays.
● The use of drawing materials including markers, crayons, and colored pencils of different sizes, watercolor paints and a variety of stampers are encouraged.
● Children of all ages (Toddlers – School age) will be receiving the snack bags. Therefore, they CANNOT accept bags that have staples, tape, or any toxic materials (including glitter and glue) on the bags.

If you are interested in joining in this effort, please contact Marilyn Crone at mmc1335@gmail.com for more information. Thank you for your interest in Kid’s Bags and for your support!