Action Ministries, an independent, nonprofit, faith-based organization serving the hunger, housing and education needs of people in North Georgia, will launch a new statewide child nutrition initiative, “Smart Lunch, Smart Kid,” in May. The organization hopes to provide 100,000 healthy meals and educational enrichment opportunities to children in need during the summer months in the following Georgia communities: College Park, Inman Park, Tucker, Athens, Gainesville, Jackson, Fayetteville and Rome.

Those wishing to help in this initiative can get their parishes, youth groups, or families involved by becoming a sponsor, volunteering to make and pack lunches, volunteering to be a driver, or taking part in the educational portion of the program by reading to children. Engaging the children in arts and crafts is also an option.

Action Ministries has provided a countdown to summer wish list, including requests for ziplock sandwich bags, individually packaged salty snacks, juice boxes and bottled water, books, individually packaged fruit snacks, and peanut butter and jelly.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Mark Hellman, executive director Action Ministries, at mhellman@actionministries.net or (770) 905-9191 or Rachel Ruckart, program coordinator, at rruckart@actionministries.net or (404) 593-8190.