Chris Zellers, Family and Community Health Sciences Educator with grandchildren and their new backpacks, courtesy of the Cape May County Division of Aging and Disability Services, at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program on August 14, 2019.

Cape May Court House, NJ – Rutgers Cooperative Extension Family and Community Health Sciences’ Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Support Group met on August 14, 2019 at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County for their annual Back to School Bash that focused on healthy snack and lunch planning for the school year.

The GRG Meeting was facilitated by Chris Zellers, Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) Educator. The Back to School program, which strives to make grandparents and their grandchildren’s transition to the new school year a little easier, included a special back to school healthy snack activity for the children and provided grandparents with helpful nutritional information as they prepare for the new school year. Additionally, each child received a reusable snack case complete with ice pack for easy and safe transport to and from school.

Zellers said, “It is important when preparing our children for the first day of school to plan ahead. Making healthy snacks the day before with our children is one way of knowing that they will have a healthy snack choice during their busy day plus provides an opportunity for quality time together.”

The program concluded with each child receiving a new backpack filled with school supplies courtesy of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren grant from the Cape May County Division of Aging and Disability Services. The grandparents also received timely information on immunizations, homework help resources and other topics to help ensure a successful start to the new school year. Zellers added, “The evening proved to be informative for our grandparents, as well as, fun for the children.”

The next meeting of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group is Wednesday, September 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County. There will be a special presentation, Don’t Get Vaped In, with guest speaker Carlo Favretto, Jr., Regional Youth Coordinator, Atlantic Prevention Resources. Childcare will be provided with fun activities for the grandchildren. A light supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the program will follow at 6 p.m. New families are always welcome to attend. There is no charge for this program, however, registration is required by September 11, 2019. Please call Marian at (609) 465-5115, ext. 3609 for more information or to register for the program. Additional Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group meetings are scheduled for October 16, November 20, and December 10, 2019.

Support for this program is provided by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Cape May County Division of Aging and Disability Services, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Contact: Lenora at 465-5115 ext. 3610