Drop-off food collection at Woodridge Church

Woodridge Church, located at 546 Budlong Road, will be hosting a drop-off food collection on Sunday, June 28, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and ending at 11:30 a.m.

Come with your trunk full of non-perishable items, which will go directly to the Cranston Food Pantry. Donors will remain in their vehicle and volunteers will empty the items from the trunk.

Be sure to say “cheese” for a photo to share with the church community. This is open to the public and most needed items include tuna, tomato sauce, pasta and peanut butter.

The Big Yard Sale

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island will host its Big Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 27 at 1540 Pontiac Ave. in Cranston. The sale will include household items, books, furniture and more.

These items were generously donated to BBBS during the last few months, but the organization is no longer able to store or distribute them. Organizers will be taking every precaution to keep the community safe and maintain guidelines for social distancing. Visitors are asked to wear masks at all times and maintain six-foot distancing from others. No more than 10 people will be allowed in the yard sale at any time.

All of the proceeds from the sales will be used to continue to fund BBBS mentoring programs at a time when the youth in the community needs them the most. For safety, change will not be available for cash sales. Visitors may donate change to BBSOS or use the electronic payment methods.

For more information, visit www.bigsri.org.

CCAP Emergency Housing Assistance

The Comprehensive Community Action Program’s Emergency Housing Assistance program assists individuals/families living in Cranston, Coventry, Scituate and Foster with back rent, security deposits, mortgage assistance, late fees associated with back rent or mortgage, moving costs and utilities. Funding is limited. For more information, call CCAP at 467-7013.

Cranston Arts Commission open invitation

The Cranston Arts Commission would like to invite all Cranston artists to submit a picture, story or video of their work to be shared on the commission’s Facebook page and website. Work from all artists is being sought, including poets, storytellers, photographers, musicians, actors and painters. There is no age restriction or deadline.

To participate, use #ArtHeals when posting to the commission’s social media, email cranstonartscommission@gmail.com or visit www.cranstonartscommission.org.

Virtual Storytellers Series at library

This summer, the Cranston Public Library is recreating the magic of live storytelling in a virtual environment, with the help of internationally acclaimed and diverse storytellers Len Cabral, Motoko and Diane Edgecomb. Funded by Bank Newport, the “Imagine Your Story” series of events promises to cast a spell, using Zoom invites instead of tickets and home computers instead of the library meeting room.

“YES, the show must go ONLINE!” wrote storyteller Motoko when library youth services coordinator Emily Brown reached out to her about switching to virtual programming.

The library’s youth services staff started planning the 2020 summer programming lineup in January, and they had a vision of prominently featuring live storytellers. Library Director Ed Garcia wrote a grant, and BankNewport gave $2,000 to support the series. When in-person programs became impossible, library staff and storytellers pivoted to using technology to make an authentic connection with young people.

Brown was watching popular local storyteller Len Cabral tell stories live on Facebook when he made a comment that helped her reimagine these programs. Cabral held the first Storytime last weekend and will again perform on July 1.

On July 8 and July 15, Motoko will tell Japanese folktales and model origami. Families can pick up origami paper at the library ahead of time if they wish. On July 29 and Aug. 5, Diane Edgecomb will share retellings of unusual fairy tales and folklore superheroes.

All performances will be at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights. To get a Zoom invite, families can register through the library’s event calendar. Brown will be hosting the events, and any parent or caregiver can reach out to her if they have questions about using Zoom or if they want to set up a test meeting.

More information about Cranston Public Library’s Virtual Summer Reading programs can be found at www.cranstonlibrary.org/summer-reading-2020.

Head Start recruitment

The CCAP Cranston Child Development Center’s Head Start Program is kicking off its annual recruitment drive for the 2020-21 school year.

Head Start/Early Head Start provides a free, comprehensive, developmentally appropriate early-education experience for children up to 5 years old, including services for pregnant women.

Participants must meet program requirements. Breakfast, lunch and snack are provided. Extended day services are available for families who are working or in school. The hours available are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. DHS funding accepted. The program actively recruits children with special needs and homeless families.

CCAP also has state-funded pre-K classrooms. To be eligible, children must turn 4 by Sept. 1. The state funded pre-K selection process is by lottery. To sign up for an email notification for the 2020-2021 school year, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/QL3KWPX.

All referrals are welcome. For questions or additional information, contact Bernadette Groves at 427-4066 or bgroves@comcap.org. The main number is 943-5160.

Summer jobs program with CCAP

CCAP is now accepting online applications for its 2020 Real Skills For Youth summer work-based learning program.

CCAP’s youth employment, training and education programs assist young people between the ages of 14 and 24 through free education, training programs and job placement assistance. All enrollees are connected with a case manager to assist them in their education or employment goals throughout the program.

To be eligible for the summer employment program, applicants must reside in Rhode Island, be authorized to work in the United States, be at least 14 years old by July 1 and be available to work between July 6 and Aug. 16. Age groups vary based on individual programs.

For more information or to apply, visit www.comcap.org/services/education-job-training/summerjobs.

CCAP Food Bank offers help, seeks donations

The COVID-19 public health emergency is creating an urgent food security challenge for households in the community. CCAP’s Food Bank, located at 311 Doric Ave., lower level, can help, and can be reached by calling 467-7013.

The Food Bank’s hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.; Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30-6:30 p.m.; and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Food Bank has suspended walk-in service. Clients can pick up their regular monthly pre-made food bags at the Food Bank window.

Donations may be made at CCAP’s location at 311 Doric Ave. in Cranston on any weekday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., excluding holidays.

CCAP is seeking paper goods, cleaning products and a range of nonperishable food items. Specifically sought are peanut butter, whole wheat pasta, tuna, brown rice, canned and dried beans, boxed macaroni and cheese, canned soups and stews, granola bars, canned fruits and vegetables, tomato sauce, breakfast cereals and extra virgin olive oil.

For more information, call 467-7013 or visit www.comcap.org.

Virtual programs at the library

The Cranston Public Library has continued to offer popular virtual programs and events during the pandemic. Join them for Storytime Live, interactive book discussion groups, trivia, workshops, and more, all available from the comfort of your own home.

Virtual programs are held using different platforms, such as Facebook Live and Zoom. All events and programs are free.

Storytime Live programs with Miss Martha, Miss Elise and Miss Emily are held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:30-11 a.m.

Bedtime Stories are held every Tuesday from 7:30-7:45 p.m. Cranston librarians share a quiet read-aloud for your bedtime routine. Tune in on Facebook each week for a new story.

Teen Book Chat is held on Thursdays from 3-3:20 p.m. Cranston librarians recommend books for children and teens that are currently available online. Tune in on Facebook each week to find out what to read next.

Hands-on Science is held on Fridays from 3-3:20 p.m. Make something amazing happen using the scientific method. Cranston librarians will walk you through an easy experiment or project you can do at home.

Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market is open

The Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon until late October. It is held at 60 Rhodes Place in Cranston.

The market’s organizers have made some changes to keep vendors and patrons safe. All foot traffic is now one-way from start to finish. Stands are more than 8 feet apart to create social distancing space and cones clearly mark where to stand. Masks must be worn by all visitors and vendors, and hand-washing stations can be found throughout the market. Visitors are additionally encouraged to keep their pets at home.

Parking for the market is in the upper parking lot, and no eating is permitted while shopping at the market.

For more information, visit www.pawtuxetmarket.com.

50th reunion for Cranston East rescheduled

The Cranston High School East class of 1970 has rescheduled its 50th reunion to Aug. 7, 2021, at the Cranston Country Club. Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner and music by Tommy Tunes. The Reunion Committee is seeking help in locating classmates. Please send information to Jim Brailsford at jimbo521@cox.net or Barbara Russo at twinn52@yahoo.com.

Trash and yard waste

Trash pick-up is continuing a normal schedule, while yard waste pick-up will be on residents’ usual trash day until mid-December. For more information, visit www.cranstonri.com.

Community Garden

Cranston’s only community garden, the Edgewood Community Garden at Cherry Woods, is located behind Edgewood Highland Elementary School on Pawtuxet Avenue. The garden is run by the West Bay Land Trust, and the cost for a 4-by-16-foot plot is $25. New gardeners are welcome, but spots go quickly. Contact Lisa Gibb at lisagibb2@verizon.net for more information.

Cranston High School class of 1960 reunion

Cranston High School’s class of 1960 plans to hold its 60th reunion on Sept. 12, 2020, at the Cranston Country Club. The cost will be $50 per person. For more information, contact Joan Farmanian Fratterelli at 349-3922.

Did you know?

Nearly 90 years before the Fourth of July would be recognized as a federal holiday, the Massachusetts legislature called for an official state celebration in 1781 to recognize “the anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.”

It wasn’t until 1870 that the U.S. Congress voted to make the Fourth of July a federal holiday. And even then, it was not made a paid holiday for all federal employees until 1941.

To submit your news from the community, email Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can include community events, promotions, academic news and nonprofit events. Email today and see your news in our column in the Cranston Herald. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information.