A bag of child-friendly food goes home each week with about 200 students in Moniteau County public schools.
Protein, fruit, shelf-friendly milk, grains and soup help supplement children’s meals throughout weekends or holidays through the Buddy Pack program.
The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri program was launched in 2005 as a pilot program in three schools, and for the 2015-16 school year, it has served 7,500 students at 155 schools within 27 counties. It began serving Moniteau County in 2012.
In Moniteau County, students benefit at California Elementary, California Middle, Clarksburg Elementary, Latham Elementary and Tipton Elementary schools.
The program exists through community donations, said Darren White, the food bank’s regional coordinator for Moniteau County.
Donations are being accepted for the 2016-17 school year.
To provide 200 students with weekly Buddy Packs throughout the school year, they need to raise about $35,000 in donations or pledges. That’s $180 per student.
“There are probably more students who could benefit, but it comes down to available funds,†White said.
The Tipton Latham Bank has been a strong supporter, and an account there supports the Moniteau County Buddy Pack program.
White intends to visit with more businesses and civic organizations in the area this spring to cultivate more support.
Unlike other food bank programs that benefit from canned food donations, the Buddy Pack program prefers funds, White said.
In addition to stretching the funds further with its wholesale connections, the food bank also ensures items being sent home with children do not require a can opener and are of reasonable size.
More than 1,170 children in Moniteau County qualify for free- or reduced-price meals at the various public schools.
White said the program keeps in touch with the local schools to see if the program may be helping with grades, attendance and behavior.
“This is a way to reach kids, to help them grow and learn, so they can become responsible adults and move out of poverty,†he said.
Call 573-474-1020 or email to [email protected] for more information.
On the web: www.sharefoodbringhope.org