RATHDRUM — Caring matters. Kindness matters. You matter.  

That’s the message Outreach Eats is trying to instill in youth at the Rathdrum skate park on Main Street. 

Garry and Robin Mickelson have been nominated for a shoutout as community helpers by Jakeup Rider after the work they've done in the last year through their nonprofit, Outreach Eats.

Garry Mickelson said it’s all about breaking bread with children to let them know someone outside their friends or families is looking out for them. 

“No kid is going to talk faster than when they’ve got free food,” Mickelson said.  

The number of kids turning up for a hot meal varies from week to week and has consistently hit around 140 this month. 

Armed with volunteers and donations to power the nonprofit, the couple comes out each Thursday afternoon. 

“It’s 35% feeding these kids and the rest is pouring into them,” Mickelson said. 

Being certified in youth mental health and resilience service, he finds it an easy transition to make sure each kid knows they have value.

“These kids have got it rough growing up in today's world with social media bullying, active shooters and everything else, but they can grab something hot to eat," Mickelson said. 

He believes it takes a village to raise a child and that’s why Outreach Eats is important. 

“This community has come around so much and supported us. We just want to be a part of this village,” Mickelson said. 

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So often volunteers go unnoticed in our community, so here’s your chance to praise members of our community for making things a little brighter in North Idaho.  

Email Carolyn Bostick at cbostick@cdapress.com to nominate an individual in your life to be features as one of our helpers in Kootenai County.