Ben Barbacz/Daily Mining Gazette Snacks and Games in the Park will take place at Agassiz Park in Calumet, every Tuesday starting June 10 and every Thursday starting June 26.

CALUMET –The nonprofit Let’s Eat Community Meals will provide free snacks and games to children, teenagers and adults in Calumet’s Agassiz Park on Tuesdays beginning this week and Thursdays starting June 26. This year marks five years the snacks and games have been provided during the summer, Houghton’s Walmart sponsoring the event each year.

Food and games are available for an hour starting at noon nearby the park’s pavilion, with a sign identifying the event’s location. Food available at the park includes snacks such as fruit, ramen and granola bars. Juices will be available those needing a drink. Games include badminton, tennis and board games. There will be books available for those wishing to have a leisurely read.

Bill Binroth of Let’s Eat Community Meals believes the event is important for Calumet due to its poverty rate and keeping food accessible to younger individuals.

“My main concern with the Calumet area is the high poverty rate,” Binroth said. “It’s the highest poverty rate in probably the entire western U.P. and we also know that young teenagers eat a lot. You know they eat stuff all day long, more or less, you know they need more than your usual three square meals a day, if they get that.”

The Village of Calumet’s poverty rate is 39.94 percent according to World Population Review.

Binroth said the snacks combined with activities will give participants a healthy option for spending time in a positive environment.

The snacks and games will be provided up to August 28.