The Energy Express summer reading and nutrition program returns to Greenbrier County! Through a combination of healthy breakfasts, lunches and learning activities, the Energy Express program continues to improve the lives of children in Greenbrier County.
This year’s program began on June 22. More than 100 children from Greenbrier County will participate in the summer program which is brought to counties by West Virginia University Extension Service and AmeriCorps.
This program is designed to provide learning opportunities and nutrition during the summer months, when children from low-income areas are most at risk for falling into the “summer slide.” The summer slide occurs when children fall behind academically because they do not build or maintain their reading skills throughout the summer months.
Available at 80 sites statewide, the Energy Express program helps approximately 3,400 children who are entering first through sixth grades. In addition to these state partners, county programs rely on a tremendous amount of local support. Local partners include Greenbrier County Schools Summer SOLE Program, Greenbrier County’s WVU Extension Office, local school business partners and other volunteers throughout the community.
Volunteers are needed from Greenbrier County to help read to children, serve meals and donate supplies. Organizers say that children benefit from having familiar community faces at the program sites. Children spend their days in a print-rich environment where they read, write and create artwork. The benefits of Energy Express extend beyond the six weeks of summer. Each week every child receives a book to take home and keep.
Major funding for Energy Express comes from the WVU Extension Service, Volunteer WV – The State’s Commission for National and Community Service, the Summer Food Service Program through the West Virginia Department of Education. Entering its 26th year, Energy Express is one of WVU Extension Service’s premier programs, uniting children and community members to make summer a time for food, fun and learning in areas and for people in need. For more information, to volunteer, or to donate supplies or money for the program, call Brandy Taylor at 304-536-3087 or e-mail at brandy.johnson@k12.wv.us.
