Almost $5,000 Given to “Backpacks for Hunger” in 2016

Any need in our local community which addresses the needs of children will get some attention at Good Shepherd. When the need for nutritious weekend meals for underserved youth in the Fox Chapel School District was brought before the congregation two years ago, our members took an interest! Every week members have contributed nonperishable, nutritious food to the collection box and have given monetary donations, mostly in the summer, but also year round. So far this year the congregation has given $4,400 to the program! In addition, we gave $786 in 2014 and $2,790 in 2015! Chuck Stover, our delivery man and liaison, estimates the value of each food delivery to be approximately $100, bringing the total to nearly $5,000 so far in 2016! This response is remarkable and sends a caring message to our local children. Thank you to everyone for contributing!

“Backpacks for Hunger” was initiated by Sue Douglas, a guidance counselor at Kerr Elementary school in 2013. After becoming aware of hunger programs in several area school districts, she observed two situations where students were giving clues that they lacked adequate food on the weekends. After another staff member commented on a similar observation, she realized that hungry kids were right here in our own community! She was moved to action by connecting with program sponsors at Deer Lakes and North Hills and she also discovered online resources to aid in formulating and presenting a plan to the staff and administration at Kerr. Letters were sent home with every student at Kerr and 35 kids signed up in the first week! In the beginning, Sue shopped for food on the weekends and packed the backpacks in her office. Each backpack Each backpack contains 9 to 13 items including 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 snacks, 2 proteins, with 2 fruit options, costing approximately $6 per child (an excellent value). Recipients are not required to meet any income guidelines; it’s available simply with a voluntary expression of need.

The program is 100% funded by local charitable organizations with no funding whatsoever from the school district. With the program’s growth, many community groups are involved, including the Fox Chapel Ministerium which provides an ecumenical focus on raising money. They intend to help establish 501(c)(3) status for the program. Currently, 6 or 7 school district staff members coordinate the program across all 4 elementary schools, the middle school and the high school, serving anywhere from 120 to 128 students! As a result of the generous community support, the program is on solid financial ground for the next three years.

When Friday comes, many of the kids are excited to see what will be included in their backpacks. As Sue observes, “If they really didn’t need it, the food would not be such a big deal.” The kids appreciate the boost to their weekend nutrition; and everyone can be grateful that our community’s children will have sustenance every weekend. If you have any questions about the program, please give Sue Douglas a call at Kerr Elementary.