As part of the Richardson Mayor’s Summer Internship Program, the public is invited to donate kid-friendly snacks for the “Healthy Kids Snack Drive” now through Aug. 5. Benefiting families served by the Network of Community Ministries, the snack drive is organized by high school interns participating in the fourth-annual Richardson Mayor’s Summer Internship Program. Donations can be made in person (select dates listed below), or pre-selected items may be purchased online now via the Healthy Kids Snack Drive Amazon Wish List. The project sponsor is Santander Consumer USA.

“In its fourth year, the Richardson Mayor’s Summer Internship Program places high school teens in the professional workplace but the life lessons extend far beyond office walls,” said Richardson Mayor Paul Voelker. “We’re also teaching them about giving back through community service and programs like this food drive. Our interns are learning about the social responsibility that goes along with receiving a paycheck. I am so proud of these go-getters and appreciate their hard work to help our families.”

Healthy snacks items include individual fruit cups, cereal cups, oatmeal cups, apple sauce, juice boxes, macaroni and cheese cups, and soup cups. The items will then be distributed at the Richardson ISD “Backpack Bash” on Aug. 7 at Richardson High School. Any leftover items will be distributed to area children by the Network of Community Ministries.

Donations may be dropped off at Network of Community Ministries (741 S. Sherman St. in Richardson) on the following dates and times: July 20 from 2:30-4:30 p.m., July 22 from 10 a.m.-noon, July 26 from noon-2 p.m., July 28 from 2-4 p.m., July 29 from noon-2 p.m., Aug. 2 from 10 a.m.-noon, Aug. 3 from noon-2 p.m., and Aug. 5 from 2-4 p.m.

To sign up or for more information on requested donation items and drop off dates, visit rmsip.org.

About the Richardson Mayor’s Summer Internship Program. The Richardson Mayor’s Summer Internship Program offers 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, began June 7 and runs through Aug. 6. For more info, go to rmsip.org.