HELPING YOUTH — Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center, and Jenn Cesta, public relations coordinator for the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, have joined forces and will offer Steubenville and Wintersville youth between the ages of 1 and 18 food and books during the summer months. A mobile food pantry and the library’s Bookmobile will visit six designated sites beginning in June. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — A new summer initiative offering food and books to children who are in need throughout the Steubenville and Wintersville areas, will be led by Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center.

Beginning June 6, the Sycamore Youth Center Mobile Food Pantry will provide free meals to children ages 1 through 18. The mobile unit will make designated neighborhood stops every Friday through Aug. 8, Bauman noted.

But that is not all. Through a unique and enriching partnership, the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County will join the center’s effort.

The library’s Bookmobile will offer free books to children along the pantry route on select dates, including June 6, June 27, July 18 and Aug. 8, according to Jenn Cesta, public relations coordinator. The library’s outreach will be led by Cesta, with a focus on promoting literacy and a love for reading during the summer months.

“This initiative is about more than just feeding children — it’s about nourishing the whole child,” Bauman stated. “We want to make sure that youth in our community are supported physically and educationally during the summer break.”

The weekly food pantry and Bookmobile are scheduled to stop in Wintersville each Friday at the Ridgewood Place Apartments at 11:25 a.m. and at the Briarwood Apartments at 11:55 a.m.

The stops through Steubenville will take place at the Elmer White Family Units at the North End around 12:20 p.m.; the Earl Rogers Plaza at the South End at 12:40 p.m.; Rosswell Avenue on the corner of Rosswell and Maple at 12:55 p.m.; and on Maryland Avenue at the corner of Maryland and Carnegie Street at 1:10 p.m.

According to Bauman, the program aims to bridge gaps in nutrition and literacy throughout the summer months, mainly for those children who come from under-resourced neighborhoods.

For information or to get involved, visit sycamorecenter.com or call (740) 409-2986.