A sign outside the First United Methodist Church on West Fifth Street invites children 18 years or age or younger to eat for free. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

EAST LIVERPOOL — The First United Methodist Church on West Fifth Street in downtown East Liverpool has partnered with the Community Resource Center to help keep the area children fed during the summer while they are out of school.

Pastor Karen Goss holds a summer youth camp at the church for youth in grades kindergarten through 12th.

Goss said she began the camp last summer for the kids and it went well so she decided to hold it again this year to provide a safe place for kids or to give parents a break. The camp provides fun activities and food.

Children do not have to attend the camp to get the free lunches.

The camp is offered at the church Monday through Thursday. During that time the Community Resource Center delivers lunches for anyone 18 years old or younger.

“We kind of partner together so that they are able to have extra hands that I don’t have to prepare the meals and then I’m here doing games and worship with the kids who are learning about God and emotions,” Goss said. “We are trying to get the kids in a structured and safe way in the summer to keep that routine.”

The free camp and lunches will run up through the start of school.

While there is no need to register just for the lunches — kids can just come in and get those — they will need to be registered for camp if they decide to attend.

According to Goss, the registration for camp is only so they have a record of emergency contact information and a medical background for the child. She currently has 30 kids registered for camp.

Registration is free and available online at the church’s website. For those who cannot register online, paper registration forms are available inside the door at the church. Children can be registered to attend up through when the camp ends.

The camp, which Goss said is to provide something to do in East Liverpool so kids don’t get into trouble, has gone well and parents and kids seem to be enjoying it, Goss said.

For those not attending the camp, lunches are available from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. every day and anyone 18 and younger can get one.

The church provides a hot lunch once a week.

Goss estimated approximately 18 to 22 children stop in for the free lunches.

Goss noted that The Community Resource Center provides lunches to kids for more than just the church. Lunches are available at parks and other locations around East Liverpool where volunteers go to hand them out.

“It’s just a blessing to have the kids and their families in the area and we love East Liverpool and the people here and love being able to build relationships with people through the camp,” Goss said.