Washougal brings Lunch Buddies to Columbia River Gorge

Washougal — Columbia River Gorge Elementary School’s new Lunch Buddies program has paired up selected students with approved adult volunteers from local businesses, booster clubs and others who were suggested by staffers. “Lunch Buddies is for students who are on the brink of success with just a few challenges and who could benefit from a little extra support,” Katie McCarthy, family-community resource coordinator at Washougal School District, said in a release. “It is meant to be a casual relationship. Volunteers do not need to be experts in child behavior or development. They simply are acting as an additional positive adult presence at school.” There are currently six lunch buddies at the school, but school officials hope to see the program grow. Anyone interested is asked to contact McCarty for an application at katrina.mccarthy@washougalsd.org or 360-954-3909. There will be a face-to-face interview to learn expectations and policies and to complete the volunteer background check paperwork. The time commitment is a half-hour each week until the end of the school year.