Expressions of Love Partners with Kelly Miller Community Center to Provide "Grab a Bag" Lunches to School Children
By Julie Perine on June 14, 2026
If you have purchased a freshly made fritti from Expressions of Love, you have played a role in its outreach efforts. Throughout the year, the nonprofit fundraises in various ways with a goal to feed undernourished children in the community, said founder Judy Bonamico.
Already providing milk to Shepherd’s Corner and Mustard Seed monthly, Expressions of Love volunteers are always looking for additional ways to reach children,” she said.
Through a partnership with the Kelly Miller Community Center, they have once again found a way to broaden their outreach work.
The “Grab a Bag” summer meal programs help to feed Harrison County children during summer break from school.
“At this point, everything is shelf stable, so we can make the lunches on Monday for the week, and they hand them out for us daily,” Bonamico said. “We started small with 100 lunches a week, but we know this number will grow.”
Seven volunteers pack lunches, and it only takes about 45 minutes.
“We have the most incredible members, and so many of them are eager to help with this project. After all, who wouldn’t want to help make sure children have food to eat,” Bonamico said.
The manpower and compassion are always plentiful, but Expressions of Love faces the challenge of not having physical space to work in.
“So, we have to rely on other organizations to partner with,” she said.
Expressions of Love discovered the Kelly Miller Community Center when its volunteers held a clothing drive for the organization.
“When we delivered the clothing, they gave us a tour of their facility and we were amazed,” Bonamico said. “They provide clothing, food, dance classes, martial arts and they have a commercial kitchen, library, and event room.”
The free grab-and-go lunches can be picked up at the Kelly Miller Community Center (408 E.B. Saunders Way, Clarksburg, WV) between 12 and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition to the nutrition inside, the brown bags feature colorful artwork and inspirational messages.
“During the last week of school, students enjoyed decorating the bags, a double blessing because the students loved coloring the bags and the children receiving the bags love choosing their lunch bags,” Bonamico said.
There is a way the public can help with the project.
“We created a list of items needed on Amazon, so anyone that wants to help can click this link and choose the food they want to donate, and it will ship directly to us,” Bonamico said.
