STEUBENVILLE — The Sycamore Youth Center’s Summer Mobile Food Pantry is once again serving children and families throughout Steubenville and Wintersville, providing free food assistance every Friday through Aug. 7.

The program is designed to help address food insecurity among local youth during the summer months when school meal programs are not available. Children and teens ages 1-18 are eligible to receive food at no cost.

The mobile pantry makes multiple stops each Friday at locations throughout both communities, bringing shelf-stable food directly into neighborhoods where families can easily access it.

According to Sycamore Youth Center Executive Director Bobbyjon Bauman, the outreach has become an important part of the organization’s efforts to support local children year-round.

“Many children depend on school meals during the academic year, and summer can create additional challenges for families,” said Bauman. “Our Summer Mobile Food Pantry helps bridge that gap by ensuring that children continue to have access to food throughout the summer months.”

The program is staffed by volunteers and supported through donations and partnerships with local businesses, churches, agencies, and community organizations. The pantry serves hundreds of children each summer and is part of Sycamore’s broader commitment to addressing food insecurity in Jefferson County.

In addition to the Summer Mobile Food Pantry, the Sycamore Youth Center provides thousands of meals annually through its after-school programs, weekend food initiatives, and other food assistance efforts.

“We are grateful for the volunteers, donors, and community partners who make this program possible,” Bauman said. “Their generosity allows us to continue serving children and families across our area and ensuring that no child is left without food during the summer.”

For information about the Summer Mobile Food Pantry, contact the Sycamore Youth Center at (740) 409-2986.