Energy Express program celebrates 30 years of literacy and nutrition

SOPHIA, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Ridgeview Elementary’s Energy Express, a celebrated literacy and nutrition program, is marking its 30th anniversary this year.

The six-week program provides children with free breakfast and lunch, and each child takes home a book every Friday.

On Tuesday, an Open House was held at Ridgeview Elementary to showcase the work of the students this summer.

Each week of the program is themed, and mentors work diligently to decorate their rooms to reflect these themes. The classrooms feature displays for the weekly themes, showcasing the children’s work.

Daily activities include read-aloud sessions, one-on-one reading, drama, writing, art, and recreational time.

Additionally, the children participate in run club activities every Friday for about 20 minutes.

To keep the summer engaging and educational, various visitors have volunteered their time to interact with the kids.

Energy Express also partnered with Operation Underdog for a community service project earlier this year.

Children participating in the program also had the opportunity to join the Kids Market at local IGA corner stores.

This initiative, in collaboration with WVU Extension, allowed children to shop for farm-fresh produce using provided coins and a passport, at no cost to families.

Energy Express has offered a variety of art projects and activities led by different companies and volunteers, enriching the summer experience for the children.