Youth sponsor food give away

DAR File Photo/Paul Davis

The Junior Order of Eagles is sponsoring a food give away from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bluff City Eagles Bingo Hall, 1400 S. Broadway.

The group has purchased a food truck from the SEMO Area Food Bank in Sikeston with enough food to feed 200 families. Each family will be limited to one box and those attending are asked to bring a box, bag or basket to hold the food, said Chris Vanlear, JOE sponsor.

Vanlear explained they would like to have names for each family served by the group.

“When we were discussing helping people with food, we realized there are times a year that are really, really hard on families,” VanLear said. “Most kids eat breakfast and lunch at school. When they’re out of school, guess what, that’s an extra 10 meals per week per child a family has to cover. That hurts, especially when you live on a budget.”

The youth have raised funds to buy and give backpacks to the homeless and have had clothing drives to help provide for those in need. The members conduct fundraising events so they can do something each month for the community.

Junior Order of Eagles is a group of area youth between the ages of 8 and 20 learning Eagles traditions, as well as gaining a sense of purpose. They were organized in December.

“The Eagles do a lot helping people and helping different charities across the country. When the older people no longer feel like doing the work, we need to be able to bring those in who are going to take over,” she said.

“We want them to understand the importance of being able to help other people and give to people,” VanLear continued. “We want them to know the feeling that comes with doing something for somebody and not getting anything in return; having a good feeling of knowing you’ve done something good.”

“The great thing about the club is their parents do not have to be a member of the Eagles,” she said. “Any child in the community who wants to be a part of the group and to help is welcome to join.”

The fees are only $11 a year and anyone interested in joining may call 573-707-2024 for an application.