As part of the Richardson Mayor’s Summer Internship Program, several high school students joined forces this summer to organize the “Healthy Kids Snack Drive” benefiting families served by the Network of Community Ministries. The teens rallied the public to donate more than 7,500 healthy snack items – creating 1,800 snack bags – that were distributed to families at the Richardson ISD “Backpack Bash” on Aug. 7 at Richardson High School.

Sponsored by Santander Consumer USA, the Healthy Kids Snack Drive is just one example of how the Richardson Mayor’s Summer Internship Program not only immerses teens in the professional workplace but encourages and teaches them to give back and learn about the social responsibility that comes along with receiving a paycheck.

The interns collected a variety of items – from fruit cups, soup cups, cereal cups and oatmeal cups to apple sauce, juice boxes, granola bars and macaroni and cheese cups. The community was encouraged to drop off goods at select dates in July and August at the Network of Community Ministries or purchase pre-selected items via an Amazon Wish List.

Any leftover items will be distributed to area children by the Network of Community Ministries, who greatly appreciated the food drive during a time when the need for food has been so great.

In its fourth year, the Richardson Mayor’s Summer Internship Program offered 43 teens eight-week full- and part-time internships – remote, onsite or a combination of both – paying a minimum of $10 per hour to qualifying high school juniors who attend Richardson ISD or live in the City of Richardson. Launched in 2018, the dynamic program immerses rising seniors in professional workplaces where they have expressed interest, exposing them a multitude of career opportunities while providing a direct connection between companies and their future employees. The program, presented by the City of Richardson, Richardson ISD and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, ran June 7-Aug. 6.

For more info, go to rmsip.org.