WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Siblings Nathaniel and Kelly Ann Kenny have a passion for helping kids in their community, so they created a nonprofit called the Youth Enrichment Project.
"My sister and I started with a pool party, and so many people came, and we had snacks, and kids were taking because they were off and didn't have snacks at home, so we realized there was such a great need," Nathaniel Kenny said.
That realization led to the creation of a holiday resource fair at the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center in Wilkes-Barre.
More than 25 nonprofits came out to help bridge the gap for families during the holiday break.
"Families have such a difficult time between Christmas and New Year's with the kids being home for so long, so we wanted to provide them with resources today, but also resources to take home with them," Kenny said.
"It's really awesome to see everyone come together, especially between this really busy season of Christmas and New Year's where some regularly scheduled options for resources might not be available," said Amanda Gordineer, director of the Food Dignity Movement.
Fork Over Love contributed 500 meals from restaurants ready to feed hungry kids.
The Food Dignity Movement was another nonprofit on hand. It provides locally grown produce to families free of charge.
"It's really great to see kids coming through our stand and maybe interacting with fruits and vegetables they don't see regularly. And there are some interesting options when we are talking about winter crops and our local farmers," Gordineer said.
Kids could also get a new pair of gloves and a hat.
This was the first year for the Holiday Resource Fair in Wilkes-Barre. Organizers hope to do it again next year.