Director's Blog - December Newsletter

posted on Dec 17th 2009 at 12:00am by Bridget Clark Whitney

Every time a child gets a sack supper, we hear “thank you.” That is because elementary school children in Kent County are grateful. They are also smart: They realize that behind each sack supper, there is a face – a volunteer or a donor who cares enough to make this opportunity possible.

By eating the meals, or sack suppers, they thank the thousands of volunteers, donors and friends who enable KFB to grow along with the growing need.

These free evening meals are vital to the success of our community. Food insecure children are more susceptible to illness and obesity and are more likely to face growth and development problems. As you know, money is tight in Michigan. Families are stretching their dollars further. In some cases, meals are skipped. These sacrifices can threaten the futures of our community’s young and vulnerable children.

Kids' Food Basket fills this need by providing free meals to over 2,080 children in 19 schools across Grand Rapids. We have begun our seventh school year of providing sack suppers for food-insecure children in Kent County. We know from the last census (2005-2007) that 18,471 children (ages 6-11) were living in poverty in Kent County. In all likelihood, that number has increased due to the downturn in the economy, particularly in Michigan, over the past two years. In tough economic times, families often turn to the community for help. If you are a food insecure child, you rely on a parent to fill that need. KFB is unique in that it works in tandem with school staff to assess a child’s need and to ensure that those children who might otherwise not have a meal at night are nourished.

Through our work, which is only possible because of the generosity of the community, KFB served 341,642 sack supper meals during the 2008/2009 school year. That number is rapidly growing. We’ve also made improvements to our services. Our sack supper meals are now healthier than ever. We’ve become very aware in the past year of the increased importance of including healthy food. Lunches now include such items as apples, bananas, berries, snap peas, grape tomatoes, and carrots. The sack suppers we provide children every school day represent at least one-third of their nutritional intake. The Produce for Better Health Foundation reports that most kids need to more than double their current intake of fruits and vegetables. Kids’ Food Basket has become an important source of these fruits and vegetables, including a fresh fruit, fresh vegetable, and 100% fruit juice drink box with a sandwich and healthy snack in every sack supper.

Carlos De la Cruz, Summer Program Coordinator for the Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Dept. – Southwest Community Campus (old Franklin School), saw firsthand this summer the importance of sack suppers in the lives of kids. “For many of the more than 150 kids in our program there is no food at home,” said Carlos. “With sack suppers from Kids’ Food Basket, they are assured that they will have something to take home to eat before going to bed.”

We learned through a survey of elementary school teachers that boys and girls look forward to the sack supper delivery every school day. Letters from students tell us, “Thank you for the food and juice. The food makes my mouth water.” Another writes, “Thank you for taking your time to make the sack supper.”

Here are a few observations from others who know intimately the needs of children:

"Parents are so appreciative, especially in this economically struggling community.

Thanks for providing this program." ---School nurse

“YOU DO NOT NEED TO ASK WHICH CHILD IS HUNGRY because you can see it in

their eyes and their actions. They are less attentive in school and this shows on their

grades and test scores.” ---Teacher

Thank you for supporting Kids’ Food Basket. Without your generosity, Kids’ Food Basket’s volunteer drivers would not be able to greet smiling faces at the end of each school day, and ensure them with a healthy evening meal. We know that times are hard and many very worthy organizations seek your support. Without you and our fabulous volunteers, we would have no hope of serving 2,300 children by June 2010.

We thank you. Our children thank you.

With warm regards,

Bridget Clark Whitney

Executive Director

P.S. You are always invited to visit us! Come see how Kids’ Food Basket works and

understand what it takes to make a difference in the lives of nutritionally at-risk children.

For an individual or group introduction, please contact Kids’ Food Basket at 235-4532 or

kidsfoodbasket@kidsfoodbasket.org.

P.P.S. Want to support KFB with a financial gift that provides more meals? You can