SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017
3 C
Food Backpack For Kids
Together, No Child Will Go Hungry
“Justin came home from school distressed as he told his mother one of his friends had to look in a dumpster for
food over the weekend.”
WHEN?
In March of 2012 our church’s women’s group began researching and organizing to develop the Food Backpack for
Kids( FB4K) program to feed hungry children on school year weekends .
WHAT?
Each food bag contains nutritious, prepackaged, shelf stable, easily opened food that provides three meals for
Saturday and three meals for Sunday. Fresh fruits and vegetables are included.
WHERE?
Volunteers purchase, store and pack food bags at Cross Road Assembly Church, who underwrites the program
expenses, so all public donations are spent on food. The food bags are delivered to the school campus, where staff
members distribute them to the kids most at risk for weekend hunger.
WHO?
We began providing weekend food to 20 at risk for hunger kids in October of 2012. Currently , 60 children in
Siuslaw School and 19 in Mapleton receive weekend food via the FB4K program. The food bags are privately
distributed by school staff.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
WHY?
2016-2017 School Year
Quantity
Food for Saturday/Sunday
Quantity
Food for Saturday/Sunday
5,056
5,056
5,056
5,056
5,056
7,347
3,875
Cartons of shelf life milk
Cans of soup
Boxed Raisins
Juice ( apple, grape or orange)
Hot chocolate packets
Double pack saltine crackers
Carrots, peeled and sliced
3,875
2,449
4,898
1,700
4,890
19,592
5,056
2,300
Baggies of celery, cleaned and sliced
Fresh apples or oranges
Packages of cheese ( string & cheddar)
Oatmeal packets
Oreo cookies
Cups, bowls, spoons
Plastic bags
Volunteer hours
“Prior to the food ‘backpack’ program, Monday mornings and Friday afternoons were the times of unusual behavior for some children in our schools.
For the children that had little to no food over the weekend, Monday morning was the time where many children scrambled to satisfy their hunger by eating
everything they could get their hands on. Some children would roam from table to table, asking their friends for any uneaten or unwanted foods then proceeding
to eat every morsel. Friday afternoons saw the hoarding of food by students that knew that nothing may be at home for the next few days. Certain students would
bring their school bags to the cafeteria and collect anything that was given away or left behind to take home. Since the donation of the weekend foodbags began,
the mad scramble for foods on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons has ceased.
“ If you or your organization is looking to make a charitable donation to support the Food ‘Backpack’ for Kids program, I can guarantee that your gift will be
used in the best way possible. All of the labor and overhead of the program is donated or a volunteer effort. Every single dollar you donate will go directly into food
for needy children. “
Sincerely,
ANDREW S. GRZESKOWIAK
Superintendent, Siuslaw School District
“One of my early concerns was of the sustainability of the program. When pro-
grams of support go away , or when interest fades over time, the impact on families
can feel like a signifi cant loss. I am thrilled to report that my concerns have not come to
fruition.
“The Food Backpack for Kids program is well funded and able to continue to sup-
port SES families for the foreseeable future.
“The Food Backpack for Kids program is something that sets us apart from other
communities with similar demographics. It is gratifying to hear of plans to spread their
good work beyond Florence. The program invigorates the minds and souls of kids and
adults in our town. It would be an asset to any community.”
We would like to THANK several
of our community partners.
Cross Road Assembly of God
Siuslaw Schools and District Staffs
Siuslaw PTA
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
Ladies of the Elks
Western Lane Community Foundation
Sincerely,
100%
Florence Daughters of the American Revolution
of every
Three Rivers Foundation
dollar
Oregon Pacific Bank
received go
MIKE HARKLERODE
es
for food.
KCST Radio
Principal, Siuslaw Elementary
Florence Events Center
R & R King Logging
Bridgewater
Please send your tax deductible donation to:
Mapleton Food Share
Food Backpack for Kids
Florence Universal Unitarian Fellowship
P.O. Box 3347, Florence, Oregon 97439
VFW and Band of Brothers
Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw
“ May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the
Peace Harbor Hospital
work of our hands for us” Psalms 90:17
Mapleton School Staff
We thank you, and are grateful for your support.
Shippin’ Shack
Fred Meyer Rewards
Food Services of America
Elks
Kiwanis
Rotary
Siuslaw News
Food for Lane County
Delta Gamma
Florence Computer Works
Dutch Brothers
Florence Christian Church
Pro Lumber
Florence Shipping Solutions
Resurrection Lutheran
Oregon Food Bank
Rhododendron Quilt Club
Grocery Outlet
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
COMMEMORATING OUR 5TH YEAR