Some of the nearly 30 young CAC summer feed participants who attended a pizza party courtesy of Police Chief John McFarland get ready for lunch. Adults pictured in the back, from left, are Alaire Mancz, executive director of the Community Action Commission of Belmont County; McFarland; Renea Whetsone, summer feed supervisor; and Martins Ferry police Sgt. Beth Scales.

MARTINS FERRY — The sounds of laughter and happy children echoed throughout St. Myers Terrace apartments on Wednesday afternoon as Martins Ferry Police Chief John McFarland treated them to a pizza party to cap off the Community Action Commission of Belmont County’s summer feed program.

Each child among the approximately 30 in attendance had a slice of Zontini’s pizza and salad, courtesy of the chief, who acknowledged shop owner John Zontini for offering a discount for the event. McFarland said his department has done similar events in the past.

“It’s good community relations,” he said, noting he hopes to make a connection with the children. “We want to show them that we’re human, too. Some of the kids were shy when we first came in, but once they see us, they come over.”

Martins Ferry police Sgt. Beth Scales was also there and offered hugs to many of the children.

Alaire Mancz, executive director of the county CAC explained the need for the summer feed program.

“When school is out, kids are food insecure. At school, they can rely on at least one meal a day,” she said.

Lori Spigarelli, assistant planner of development for the CAC and program manager for the summer feed program, said the program feeds 75 children ages 1-18 at three sites in Belmont County.

The agency has two sites in Martins Ferry, St. Myers and Jaycee Manor, and one in Bellaire, Francis Wallace Apartments. It also offers information on cooking. She said while the program runs weekdays, the children do not go home hungry on the weekends due to the Blessings in a Backpack program, through which they are given non-perishable food items to take until then new week begins.

Mancz explained the purpose of the CAC.

“Our mission is to help Belmont County residents who are struggling with poverty,” Mancz said.

The CAC also offers a variety of programs to those dealing with poverty such as the summer crisis program to help with electricity bills and air conditioning and the winter crisis program to help with heating and fuel needs. It also runs the Head Start program.

For more information on the summer feed or programs offered by the CAC of Belmont County, call 740-695-0293.