Brooklyn Center’s CEAP Offers Children Birthday Parties in a Bag

Community Emergency Assistance Programs in Brooklyn Center is trying to make sure every child has a chance to celebrate their birthday.

Along with its larger food assistance program, CEAP, which is located at 7051 Brooklyn Blvd., offers birthday party kits for families experiencing food insecurity. 

These birthday bags come with a cake, cupcakes or other treats, candles or cake decorations, party favors for six to eight kids and small toys or crafts.

Along with its larger food assistance program, CEAP, which is located at 7051 Brooklyn Blvd., is distributing birthday party kits to families.

“Food security is more than just having the food that we need, it’s also about having the food that we want and prefer,” said Katy Briggs, associate director of advancement for CEAP. “Food is more than just fuel for our bodies. It’s what brings us together with our loved ones and nourishes our spirits and that’s really our goal with the birthday bags program.”

Briggs said families are excited and appreciative of the program. 

“It’s really, really special to be able to let kids be kids and feel celebrated and to feel special, and to grow up regardless of the hunger that their family might be facing or any struggles in their family,” Briggs said. “Kids deserve to be kids.”

Families can let CEAP know of a child’s birthday before picking up their groceries, or can ask for a bag when they’re on site. 

CEAP accepts donations of birthday supplies for the program. 

“Because neighbors do need to visit our food market in order to receive birthday supplies, we first and foremost need that financial and volunteerism support for our food market,” Briggs said. 

See also: Brooklyn Center-Based CEAP Sees Spike in Food Shelf Visits

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