Thanks to a new initiative in Emporia, children of all means will be having a very happy birthday.
Throughout the past few weeks, a new donation drive has been centered on just that purpose. The inaugural Bag-a-Birthday supplies drive got underway March 25.
The mission of the initiative is to help reduce the burden on low-income households of providing children with a birthday party. The program began as a class project and was made the recipient of the inaugural Community Impact Challenge grant from Emporia State University’s Community Hornets and the Communication and Theatre Department.
The program was created by three ESU students Genevieve Lowery, Delaney Dold and Rachel Castro. Lowery says the idea for Bag-a-Birthday stemmed from the realization that 20.6 percent of children in Emporia and Lyon County live in low-income households that struggle with food and security.
Dold says the main four donations they are looking for are birthday candles, balloons, cake mix and frosting. She adds if individuals would like to also donate cake tins and oil they may do so.
Castro says the bags will be available around April 22 at Abundant Harvest. She says they are available for anyone who shows the need for them.
This cause hits particularly close to Castro who was one of four children to a single mother who worked 40 plus hours a week to provide for her family. Castro says there were many years growing up she went without a birthday party as there was not enough money to provide food for both her and her siblings and a birthday party.
The drive will continue through April 15 and those wishing to donate may drop off supplies at one of the many locations throughout ESU and Emporia. Donation boxes can be found at the following locations
* Throughout the ESU campus
* Dynamic Discs: 912 Commercial St.
* Gravel City Roasters: 608 Commercial St.
* Flint Hills Music: 715 Commercial Street
* ESB Financial: 1111 Industrial Rd and 801 Merchant St.
* The Sweet Granada: 803 Commercial St.
Monetary donations are also accepted. For more information on making donations email BagaBirthday@gmail.com.
