Boys and Girls Clubs of Thurston County

Full Bellies, Brighter Futures

Support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County by helping us provide healthy snacks to our Club members! Your generous donations make sure kids have access to nutritious food during our after-school programs, giving them the energy they need to learn, play, and grow.

Even a small gift of $10 can make a big difference. It helps us provide snacks that build healthy habits and create a positive, caring space for our youth. When we work together, we can empower the next generation and build a brighter, healthier future for everyone!

Last year, we served over 101,000 snacks and meals to our Club kids. More than 50% of our members qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch, which means many of them face food insecurity at home.

Here’s what your donation can do:

• $10 = snacks for one Club kid for a month

• $44 = snacks for the summer

• $100 = snacks for the entire school year

When youth come to programs hungry or food insecure, they may be more likely to act out, have trouble focusing, or struggle to get along with others. Hunger doesn’t just affect their health—it can also impact how they behave, learn, and connect.

Programs that give kids regular access to nutritious food—like school meals, after-school snacks, and weekend food—can make a big difference. These programs help kids stay focused, feel supported, and fully take part in activities that build confidence and community.

Because Club kids deserve full bellies and full hearts—ready to learn, have fun, and reach their full potential.

Sources:

• Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), “The Connections Between Food Insecurity, the Federal Nutrition Programs, and Student Behavior” (2018)

• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, “Tackling Adolescent Food Insecurity” (2024)

• Kotchick et al., “Food Insecurity and Adolescent Psychosocial Adjustment,” Developmental Psychology (2021)

• “Addressing Food Insecurity in School-Based Settings: Keeping Youth Fed as Costs Rise” (2022)