Lansingburgh B&G Club provides food for children this summer

TROY, NY (NEWS10) — Summertime isn’t a great time for all children. Holidays mean no school meals for children in need. The Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club is one of many institutions in the Capital Region that are trying to change that.

“We see children who come here in the morning and ask themselves when do I eat lunch? And to have that available and that assurance to tell them, hey, you didn’t bring lunch today, that’s okay” said Jimmy Bulmer, now executive director of the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club.

Tammy Dushane is on the front lines making sure no child is left behind at lunch. The club’s school-based care coordinator says demand has increased since COVID.

“Since we reopened and were able to bring the children back here, there have definitely been more children coming and the need for food has increased,” explained Dushane.

The kids at the club have their choice of lunch options like ham sandwiches, apple sauce and frozen juice pouches. Anything they don’t want is put in a box and given to other kids who may still be hungry.

Dushane says the kids have their own opinions about what they like! Thankfully… “The program has actually changed in the last few years as new vendors have come in. So the food selection has gotten better and we work with the county. They are very easy to work with and they want to know what we think about how the program can be changed,” Dushane said.

Back to the question. The program currently serves 130 children, but there are about 30 on the waiting list. The problem? Capacity limitations.

“If we were to renovate certain rooms in the basement that are currently unoccupied, we could serve more children,” Bulmer said.

Bulmer showed NEWS10’s Zion Decoteau the vacant space, where he plans to install numerous amenities, such as a modernized computer lab. For the former club student, this is a labor of love.

“Everyone needs those basic needs. Everyone needs fuel in their body to be able to learn and grow. For families who may not have any other choice, we’re really happy to be that stable place in the community that they can come to when they’re in need,” Bulmer said.

The summer dining program runs until the end of the club’s summer camp, August 23rd.