A teen center prepares a tasty fundraiser

SANDPOINT — Good food and a good cause.

That’s what you get when you combine an enchilada fundraising dinner and the Sandpoint Teen Center. The next benefit will take place on Thursday, October 24.

Best of all, teens at the center will help prepare the feast of hot enchiladas, beans, salad and dessert. The event will be held at First Lutheran Church, 526 S. Olive Ave., Sandpoint and will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

“The dinner is both an educational activity for our teens to practice preparing meals and learn cooking and serving skills, while also raising funds to purchase food for healthy snacks and hot meals every day after school at the Sandpoint Teen Center,” said Kate Mansur, who works with the teen center as a grant writer.

Funds raised from the dinner will benefit the Sandpoint Teen Center’s Healthy Teens After School program, which offers both healthy snacks and activities, as well as homework help, chances to participate in community service projects and much more.

Suggested donation is $20 per person, with children eating free. All donations go toward healthy nutrition for Bonner County teens who visit the teen center.

In addition to the enchilada meal, there will be a silent auction including artwork, a local dinner, garden basket, shopping and more.

The center also partners with the Eat Together Idaho campaign for dinner. The campaign encourages families to eat daily meals with their teens, which studies show reduces teen substance use, promotes better academic performance and boosts teen confidence and achievement, Mansur said.

An estimated 115 to 150 teens visit the center’s two locations: First Lutheran Church and a portable school behind Sandpoint Middle School. The center is open Monday to Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“The Sandpoint Teen Center supports local youth by inspiring them to pursue constructive challenges in a supportive ‘family’ type environment, building their self-esteem and positive personal outlook,” Mansur said. “Our goal – through activities, games, homework help, service opportunities and classes – is for teens to turn their vulnerable, unsupervised afternoons into a springboard to success, developing skills healthy eating and recreational habits, positive relationships and learning new skills that will benefit them in the future.”

The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization’s mission is to provide a positive and nurturing after-school environment where the county’s seventh through twelfth grade students can safely socialize and participate in activities designed to develop the qualities leadership, interpersonal skills and community awareness. The center actively partners with organizations and individuals in the community to provide excellent after-school programs, Sandpoint Teen Center officials said.

For the past 16 years, the center has been a positive place for teens across the county, offering a culinary program, daily healthy snacks and special hot meals, as well as cooking and cooking classes for teens. Additionally, mentors provide positive activities and interactions as well as homework assistance. Among the many activities are arts, crafts and activities such as bowling, billiards, ping pong, foosball, air hockey, a variety of board games and card games.

Most teens walk to the center from Sandpoint High School, Sandpoint High School, Forrest Bird Charter, Lake Pend Oreille High School and Homeschool Academy. As many new families move into the community, Sandpoint Teen Center officials said they are seeing more parents bring their teens to visit the center.

“Teenagers visit the Sandpoint Teen Center either because there is no one home after school or because they are looking for a place to socialize with their peers,” Mansur said. “Other teens are looking for food, an adult to communicate with, help with homework or school work, or to try fun new things and make friends.”

To attend in person, RSVP [email protected]. Want to support the teen center but can’t attend the dinner? Donate online at sandpointteencenter.com or mail checks to Sandpoint Teen Center, Box 1066, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

“It takes a community to nourish and enrich our teenagers,” Mansur said.