Marcia Holl, founder of the Weekend Food Program in the South Butler School District, assembles a bag last year for a student in need to take home. The food program recently received a large donation from Concordia Lutheran Ministries.

JEFFERSON TWP — A donation from Concordia Lutheran Ministries will go toward ensuring that hunger isn't a problem in the South Butler School District.

District officials announced on Wednesday that Concordia Lutheran Ministries donated $7,000 to the program, which enables 42 students in kindergarten through fifth grade who are at risk of suffering from hunger to take home food every Friday to sustain them until school begins on Monday.

The students receive a bag with two breakfast, two lunch and two dinner items, plus two snacks, fruit and a drink, and occasionally a treat, if it's available.

Weekend Food Program manager Marcia Holl, a Title I reading teacher in the primary and intermediate elementary schools, said she previously relied on private monetary donations, community and school district food drives, and random food donations to keep the cupboard stocked with food for the program.

Now, Holl said she and the two other South Butler employees who operate the program can breathe a sigh of relief, rather than wondering if enough food will continue to be available for the students.

“I am so thankful that they were gracious enough to give us that money for the kids,” Holl said.

She added that the funding will allow her to keep the Weekend Food cupboard stocked for several months.

Another benefit is that she and fellow program shopper Jade Thrower, a primary school guidance counselor, to buy more filling items and additional fresh produce for the bags.

Holl said she selected a handful of program participants to write thank-you notes to Concordia officials. The notes contained sobering messages, such as, “My mummy doesn't have enough money to buy us food,” Holl said.

“It's heartbreaking,” she said.

Keith Frndak, president and CEO at Concordia Lutheran Ministries, was quick to sidestep kudos for the benevolent donation.

“Concordia is not looking for any recognition,” Frndak said. “We are just glad that we are blessed to be able to help.”

Holl said the donation has made a huge difference in the program.

“Now when I go to the store, I don't have to hold my breath,” she said. “We appreciate so much that (Concordia is) making a difference in a child's life, because we are here to educate children, and if they are well fed, it will be a much better learning environment.”

Holl said the Weekend Food Program continues to accept donations, both monetary and nonperishable, single-serving foods.

“Don't stop donating because prices continue to go up,” she said.