Even in tight economic times, it is difficult to imagine sending children to bed hungry. But it does happen … and, tragically, it happens on a regular basis for youngsters in Region 8.
It seems impossible to believe that in a nation of plenty, we have children who have no food. Even if we convince ourselves it happens somewhere, it is hard to believe it happens here. But it does.
Sadly, there are youngsters in our community who … through no fault of their own … rely on school lunches and breakfasts for their meals. But on weekends and on school vacations, they do without because for one reason or another, there is no one in the home to see to their nutritional needs.
To help address that problem, two Leadership Jonesboro teams are joining together with the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas to help provide nutritional meals for youngsters who qualify. The program serves more than 250 young students by discretely sending home kid-friendly foods in backpacks on Friday afternoons during the school year. The empty backpacks are returned on Monday so they can be readied for the next weekend.
The teams are taking a two-pronged approach to food collections. First, there are a number of businesses and industries that are hosting barrels to encourage employees to donate food items.
The second approach will be a one-day “Pack-the-Bus” campaign at four different grocery stores in Jonesboro. On Saturday, July 25, there will be volunteers at four Jonesboro sites – Bill’s Fresh Market at 3605 East Johnson, Kroger on South Caraway and both Jonesboro Wal Mart stores – distributing flyers with information on suitable food items. The volunteers then will accept donations from shoppers, and food will be “packed” into a JETS bus for delivery to the Food Bank.
It is totally unacceptable for any child to go hungry … especially when there are ways we can help.
Don’t forget to take a flyer at one of the participating stores on July 25 and buy some “Kans 4 Kids.” Through this program, we all can make this a Better Region 8.
"It is totally unacceptable for any child to go hungry..."
I agree. However, the main reason a child goes hungry today is the fault of the parents or parent. Food stamps are given to any family that needs them. If the parent is not using them illegally, the child will have enough food. It is as simple as that.
Posted by: Charles | September 18, 2009 at 05:30 AM