A West Deer nanny and five children are raising money for a store that gives free items to those in need.

A “Snack Shack” fundraiser to benefit the Russellton Free Store will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday on Woodlake Drive in West Deer.

The group will be selling cupcakes, popsicles, Sno Balls, Rice Krispies Treats and bottled water.

Nothing has a set price. They’ye just asking for donations for the Free Store.

“We figured we’d hit around lunch break. This way people can stop by on their lunch break,” said Matthew Jeckavitch of West Deer.

Jeckavitch is the owner of Manny Matt & Company LLC, a nanny service. He also babysits.

Jeckavitch and the children he watches do community outreach projects each year. In the past, they have donated to animal shelters, libraries, food banks and Play it Forward Pittsburgh, a nonprofit that collects new or gently used toys for children.

“We always do a lot of fundraisers,” Jeckavitch said. “We were looking for something different.”

Jeckavitch pitched the idea to donate to the Free Store after he saw a Tribune-Review article announcing that the store was moving from East Deer to West Deer. The Free Store takes unwanted or donated items that can be repurposed or reused and gives them away for free.

“It’s important for our kids to know that when the chips are down, you’ve got to be able to reach out to somebody,” Jeckavitch said. “And if you’re in a good situation, you have to be able to pay it forward.”

Participating in the fundraiser will be the Ontko siblings of Hampton and the Grealish siblings of West Deer. They’re ages three to nine.

Jeckavitch said the kids were on board after they learned the mission of the Free Store.

The group chose to do a “Snack Shack” with individually wrapped items because of the coronavirus.

“We talked to our kids about it,” Jeckavitch said. “We did a whole lesson on why it’s important to give back to the community.”

The Free Store plans to open by Sept 1. It will be located at 9 Creighton Russellton Road.

It will open with just children’s items at first because it’s back-to-school season. It will then shift back to offering everything from beds to chandeliers to carpets.

Jeckavitch reached out to the Free Store to ask if they could donate.

“Of course we approved,” co-owner Sonya Dembowski said. “I think we have some awesome neighbors. Our expenses are well over $1,000 a month, so every little bit helps.”

Jeckavitch said the Free Store will be a benefit to the community.

“It is such a great idea. There’s so many people who need the help right now,” Jeckavitch said.

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