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NEDERLAND — Children are out of school for the summer, and grocery bills continue to rise, putting a strain on some pocketbooks.

Plus there are children whose main meals come from the school cafeteria.

Nederland Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Diana LaBorde had these thoughts on her mind when she found a way to help alleviate these issues.

The idea is simple.

Food donations can be placed in a tote on the porch of the chamber office, 1515 Boston Avenue.

The items are donated to Community Care – Prayer Outreach and distributed to local families in need, she said.

Community Care – Prayer Outreach at 808 Nederland Avenue in Nederland, is an organization with a mission to alleviate the pain and suffering of the elderly, disabled and low-income by providing basic needs, making a positive impact in their lives and thus creating a healthy and thriving community, according to information from the organization.

LaBorde said the idea of #putitontheporch came from their actions during COVID.

At that time they were forced to cancel events such as their annual Trunk R Treat and holiday parade in which an entry in a food donation.

So chamber officials opted to place a tote on their porch and let the public make donations safely.

“It was great. People were good,” LaBorde said.

But now it’s summertime and kids are at home. One of the chamber board members works with Nederland Independent School District and made the board award there are children in the school system who are at or below poverty level.

“Sometimes their only meal is at school, and they are not in school now. We want to reach out to our neighbors in Nederland,” LaBorde said.

The porch donation drive began this week, and LaBorde plans to keep it going until school starts.

For more information, call the chamber office at 409-722-0279.