Children deliver supplies to Thermal Belt Outreach

COLUMBUS—Area children in need can now have a birthday party through the Thermal Belt Outreach food pantry. 

A group of children had the idea recently to raise money so every child in Polk County could have a birthday party. The group of children did a lemonade stand at the 4th Friday in Tryon recently and raised over $500 and a large bin of food and birthday decorations. 

Those children made the boxes and delivered 50 of them to Outreach in Columbus this week. 

The boxes include cake mix, frosting, birthday candles, plates, a birthday banner and other birthday surprises.

Children who participated included Addie Buss, Riley Gallagher, Penny Schweizer, Abby Lewis, Hayleigh Shaw, Logan Shaw, Blakelee Smith, Gabriella Betancourt, Ava Betancourt, and Emma Rose Selbee. 

The children said they came up with the idea because they think every kid in Polk County should get to celebrate their birthday. 

Most of the children also participate in the Feed-A-Kid program and lemonade stands were also done by the children last year to raise money for a new Harmon Field playground, which has since been accomplished.