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A Bright Easter in Salem

By Mary Ann Greier 3 min read

SALEM -- The cold, snowy weather didn't deter families as they lined up outside for the annual Bright Easter event at the Brightside Project office on South Broadway.

A wall of colorful Easter baskets filled with goodies awaited the children, along with non-perishable and perishable food and personal care items they could select as part of the monthly Food for Kids giveaway.

Brightside Project personnel called it a mash-up of two of their very successful programs aimed at helping children of Columbiana County have a bright Easter and supply of food and necessities.

"We're here for the kids," Brightside Project Executive Director Scott Lewis said.

Co-Director Lisa Wallace said this is the fifth year for Bright Easter. The number of kids helped has continued to increase as need has gone up across the county, due in part to the pandemic. Wallace said the number of children helped in 2020 was 5,253 -- that's a 700 percent increase from 2019.

Having the Crisis Relief Food for Kids Program and being a location for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has also led to increased numbers.

For this year's Bright Easter, 195 Easter baskets were prepared, including some for 2-year-olds. The program normally serves children from age 3 to 18.

Two families at a time were permitted inside and had to wear masks and keep socially distant. Volunteers helped children make their food selections and fill up a bag to take home. Lewis said some of the items children received included apples, oranges, carrots, milk, juice, ravioli, macaroni and cheese, sun chips, granola bars and other healthy snacks. Help Me Grow donated candy-filled eggs. Children could also select personal care items, such as toothpaste, etc., and then an Easter basket.

He said some pantries are seeing reduced numbers right now because of stimulus money and tax refunds, but he was expecting the Brightside Project to get hit hard. In Salineville recently, 74 kids were served at a food giveaway and backpacks were given away which can be filled up with food next time.

During the event Thursday, Lewis said kids who already received a backpack could fill them back up, but they also had backpacks for kids who had not received one yet thanks to a grant.

Both he and Wallace offered thanks for all the support received for this event and the help received on a regular basis. Summit Credit Union conducted an Easter candy drive to help and other groups and individuals have helped with food donations. Walmart of Salem donated all the baskets and Easter grass for the baskets.

"They've been wonderful with us. Big shoutout to Walmart," Lewis said.

Brightside Project moved into the location at 138 S. Broadway Ave., Salem just two years ago and both Wallace and Lewis said they've already outgrown the space, but want to stay downtown.

They said thank you to the community, the county and the partners they've made.

"We're always looking for more community partners," he said.

A 501 (c) (3) non-profit, the Brightside Project is "dedicated to equipping and empowering children to reach their full potential by building resiliency and giving hope," a press release about the event said.

For information visit www.brightsideprojectohio.org.

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