Genoa Middle School students gave their time, talent and treasure to Share Bac A Pac, so that fellow Westerville City School students wouldn’t go hungry during spring break. Lead by math teacher Katy Paolini, the middle school raised funds through a two-day dodge ball tournament and presented Share Bac A Pac with a check for $1,000. In addition, Genoa’s National Honor Society students organized and packed 270 bags of food, which, when combined with the check, will provide more than 1,000 meals and snacks for Westerville students at risk of hunger.
Each week throughout the school year, Share Bac A Pac volunteers deliver individual food bags containing at least two milks, two cereals, oats or breakfast bars, two fruit servings, two entrees, one fruit juice and three or four healthy snacks to participating Westerville schools. From there, school counselors discreetly distribute the bags for students to take home.
“Our goal is to provide enough nutritious food to comfort each child at risk of hunger through the weekend, and enable them to return to school on Monday feeling nourished and able to focus,” said Sherry Williamson, co-founder and director of Share Bac A Pac.
Hunger affects a child’s physical and mental health, as well as their academic achievement. There are currently 4,609 students on the free or reduced lunch program within Westerville schools. Share Bac A Pac is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit local organization that provides healthy foods and snacks to children at risk of hunger on non-school days, when free/reduced school meal programs are not available. Children need proper nutrition for their growth and development every day, including the weekend. Proper nutrition will not only help these students in the short term, but will improve their outlook for the future.
Share Bac A Pac is not affiliated with any other food distribution program, consists entirely of volunteers, and is supported only through private and corporate donations. The cost per bag of food is approximately $6.00.
You can support Share Bac A Pac through financial donations, food donations or by volunteering your time. Please visit www.sharebacapac.org for additional information, including details on donating and volunteer opportunities.