Sharing food. Bringing hope. The Central Missouri Food Bank and three local elementary schools are working together to make sure that students of low-income families have something to eat when they're not in school.
The current economic recession has tremendously affected many Missouri families. For some, it has changed two-income homes to one income or no income; leaving fewer dollars for life's necessities, including food. Through a program called Buddy Backpacks, officials are hoping to eliminate that concern.
"Our goal is to help people who really need food," CMFB marketing coordinator Mike DeSantis told those attending an informational meeting that was held Thursday at Eugene Field Elementary School regarding the back pack program. And the only criteria for qualification, DeSantis said, is to have a need.
Established five years ago, the Buddy Pack Program is a public-access, not-for-profit school program that serves children in grades ranging from pre-kindergarten through the fifth grade that are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. Starting out with just four schools in two counties, the program is now in 80 schools throughout 32 Missouri counties. Eugene Field, McMillan Elementary and the Early Childhood Developmental Center are currently the only schools in Audrain County enrolled in the program.
"We're trying to get more involved," DeSantis said. In an attempt to spread awareness, he and several other CMFB representatives have been speaking to schools to find out their needs. In 2008, the program helped feed some 3,200 Missouri children, and the need is expected to increase this year, he said.
"Everything we do is confidential," he said. "All the school needs is a dedicated team of volunteers and the space to store the food. And, the food bank does the rest."
The back packs are handed out each Friday, filled with single servings of nutritious supplemental food items like grain cereals, peanut butter, fruits, soups and snack items. On Monday, the students return the bag to be refilled for the following weekend.
"The food bank is phenomenal to work with, and the back pack program is really great," said Eugene Field Guidance Counselor Amy Auwarter. "Studies show that children learn better when they are nourished, and have food to eat. And, through Buddy Backpacks, the food bank is doing all it can to make sure our kids have food."
Eugene Field currently has 120 students signed up for Buddy Backpacks. McMillan has 60, and the Early Childhood Developmental Center has 30. Last year, they received a combined total of 21,817 pounds of food to fill their backpacks.
"We're hoping to get more schools and counties involved this year," said Bobbie Kincade, director of development for Central Missouri Food Bank. "Our goal is to distribute 5,000 back packs every week. Right now, we're doing around 3,800."
"We're doing our best to feed as many children as possible."
"With the economy the way it is right now in our community, I feel this is a very important program," said McMillan Counselor Mary Ann Kasubke. "It ensures they have food, if needed ... and the food comes in regular bookbags so the kids are not singled out.
"It's really a great program."
Each school is responsible for traveling to the Columbia food bank to pick up the needed supplies to fill the packs. The packs are kept at the school until the distribution day, and filled by parent volunteers. Anyone wishing to help can contact the school their child attends.
With the program growing so fast, the food bank relies heavily on donors. Anyone wishing to contribute is encouraged to take their donations directly to the food bank. The food bank is always taking donations for backpacks and food. They have a program called Food for Kids, where the kids can go to receive food even over the summer.
Anyone choosing to donate is asked to avoid items such as food stored in glass containers, perishable food such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and cookies or other items containing a lot of sugar. Cash donations are accepted.
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Sharing food. Bringing hope. The Central Missouri Food Bank and three local elementary schools are working together to make sure that students of low-income families have something to eat when they're not in school.
The current economic recession has tremendously affected many Missouri families. For some, it has changed two-income homes to one income or no income; leaving fewer dollars for life's necessities, including food. Through a program called Buddy Backpacks, officials are hoping to eliminate that concern.
"Our goal is to help people who really need food," CMFB marketing coordinator Mike DeSantis told those attending an informational meeting that was held Thursday at Eugene Field Elementary School regarding the back pack program. And the only criteria for qualification, DeSantis said, is to have a need.
Established five years ago, the Buddy Pack Program is a public-access, not-for-profit school program that serves children in grades ranging from pre-kindergarten through the fifth grade that are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. Starting out with just four schools in two counties, the program is now in 80 schools throughout 32 Missouri counties. Eugene Field, McMillan Elementary and the Early Childhood Developmental Center are currently the only schools in Audrain County enrolled in the program.
"We're trying to get more involved," DeSantis said. In an attempt to spread awareness, he and several other CMFB representatives have been speaking to schools to find out their needs. In 2008, the program helped feed some 3,200 Missouri children, and the need is expected to increase this year, he said.
"Everything we do is confidential," he said. "All the school needs is a dedicated team of volunteers and the space to store the food. And, the food bank does the rest."
The back packs are handed out each Friday, filled with single servings of nutritious supplemental food items like grain cereals, peanut butter, fruits, soups and snack items. On Monday, the students return the bag to be refilled for the following weekend.
"The food bank is phenomenal to work with, and the back pack program is really great," said Eugene Field Guidance Counselor Amy Auwarter. "Studies show that children learn better when they are nourished, and have food to eat. And, through Buddy Backpacks, the food bank is doing all it can to make sure our kids have food."
Eugene Field currently has 120 students signed up for Buddy Backpacks. McMillan has 60, and the Early Childhood Developmental Center has 30. Last year, they received a combined total of 21,817 pounds of food to fill their backpacks.
"We're hoping to get more schools and counties involved this year," said Bobbie Kincade, director of development for Central Missouri Food Bank. "Our goal is to distribute 5,000 back packs every week. Right now, we're doing around 3,800."
"We're doing our best to feed as many children as possible."
"With the economy the way it is right now in our community, I feel this is a very important program," said McMillan Counselor Mary Ann Kasubke. "It ensures they have food, if needed ... and the food comes in regular bookbags so the kids are not singled out.
"It's really a great program."
Each school is responsible for traveling to the Columbia food bank to pick up the needed supplies to fill the packs. The packs are kept at the school until the distribution day, and filled by parent volunteers. Anyone wishing to help can contact the school their child attends.
With the program growing so fast, the food bank relies heavily on donors. Anyone wishing to contribute is encouraged to take their donations directly to the food bank. The food bank is always taking donations for backpacks and food. They have a program called Food for Kids, where the kids can go to receive food even over the summer.
Anyone choosing to donate is asked to avoid items such as food stored in glass containers, perishable food such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and cookies or other items containing a lot of sugar. Cash donations are accepted.
