Hunger is a real issue in America. We’ve all seen the commercials showing the children who are hungry in other states and other countries. However, sometimes it’s easy to forget that hunger exists right here in our own state and our own community.
Statistics show that one in every five children in Nebraska under the age of 18 is hungry. But you, can change that statistic.
On Friday, October 24, Great Western Bank is hosting a free-will donation lunch to benefit the North Platte Adopt-a-Backpack program.
The Adopt-a-Backpack program provides food for local children on the weekends and during school vacations.
The students served, who are identified by staff members at local elementary schools, are provided with bags that are filled with non-perishable foods on Friday afternoons. The bags provide two breakfast meals, two lunch meals and two dinner meals.
The program was started after teachers and administrators noticed that students were having difficulty learning and focusing, especially at the beginning of the school week, because they were hungry.
“It was a surprise to me that there were children in our community that had no food on the weekends,” said organizer, Judy Pederson. “What the schools would see is students were not able to learn on Monday, they were preoccupied, they would get in trouble and couldn’t concentrate. Then they’d see the same thing on Fridays because the students were worried about not having food on the weekends.”
Pederson said the program provides kids with the food they need for the weekends. She said the items are all non-perishable, and are items that the children can fix on their own.
While the program receives support and donations from the Food Bank of the Heartland, and several businesses, organizers say the need in our community is greater than what this provides for. Therefore, there is a need for financial support from members of the community to ensure that all children are provided for.
Pederson said the program is about $2,000 shy of their $20,000 goal, and organizers are hopeful that the lunch on Friday will help push them over that goal.
Currently, the program is available to students at McDaid Elementary, Cody Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Buffalo Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Washington Elementary and Madison Middle School. However, Pederson said the program is hoping to expand into several other schools, in order serve children that have needs.
If you are interested in donating to the Adopt-a-Backpack program, donations can be sent to the North Platte Public Schools Foundation, PO Box 1557, North Platte, 69103, or you can contact the Foundation office at 308-535-5300.