ILES Lunch Buddies Brenda Moots and Jonelle Lewis dine students. (INDIAN LAKE SCHOOL PHOTO)
Several Indian Lake Elementary students have a new friend to join them for lunch.
United Way of Logan County Lunch Buddies began recently at ILES. More than a dozen volunteers from the community answered the call to dine with selected third and fourth graders this year.
“This is a perfect opportunity for someone who has some flexibility during the middle of the day and wants to make a real, tangible difference in someone’s life,” said Dave Bezusko, United Way of Logan County executive director.
During the first Lunch Buddies session, students met with their mentor in the ILES Media Center. They talked and colored pictures, discussed their favorite sports, pets, siblings and hobbies while eating.
Local salon owner Jonelle Lewis is looking forward to getting to know her Lunch Buddy, Bexlie.
“I have always loved working with the youth in our community. There is no better investment than mentoring the young, for they are our future.” Lewis continued, “I enjoyed meeting my buddy and talking with her about all of her interests.”
Local retail store owner Brenda Moots dined with Xaven and is grateful for the opportunity. “After leaving my lunch buddy for the first time, I’m guessing the experience was more of a blessing for me and a normal lunch for my buddy. To recognize the value in just listening to my buddy and allowing them to share what they enjoy was very humbling.”
Volunteers include school board members, local business owners, health care workers, retirees, social workers and more. The idea is for students to be able to connect with another adult in their life to share experiences with.
Lunch Buddies will take place each month during the 2023-24 school year.