Students get weekend food
BUTLER TWP — Keeping more than 70 McQuistion Elementary School students from going hungry on weekends is not easy, but the newly established McQuistion Backpack Initiative is up to the task.
This month the program began discreetly giving nonperishable foods wuch as macaroni and cheese, canned ravioli, canned fruit and Nesquik in care packages for students each weekend to keep them nourished.
The pilot program is only in its second week, but there’s the possibility of bringing the program to other Butler School District elementary schools if things go well this school year.
Kim Thomas, a learning support teacher at McQuistion, established the program when she realized several other school districts in the region have similar programs, including Deer Lakes, where her children attend.
“Anyone can sign up,” she said. “They don’t have to be free and reduced.”
The free and reduced lunch program provides federally-funded breakfasts and lunches on school days. More than half of McQuistion’s 512 students, 56 percent, qualify for a free and reduced lunch.
So far, 74 students are using the opt-in weekend program.
A teacher told Thomas that a student shook her hand after receiving the care package, thankful for the food.
Early Wednesday morning, Thomas and two retired teacher volunteers packed the dozens of bags to be distributed throughout the school. The program was given a former storage area in the basement, but it has been spruced up with bright yellow and orange paint and storage containers.
Orange, appropriately, is the national color for hunger awareness, Thomas said.
Vicki Semes, a recently retired Northwest Elementary School teacher, believes it is a great program in which to take part.
“I was looking for something different to help children in the community,” she said.
The bags are sent to teachers who place the food in students’ backpacks during lunch, a special class period or recess when students are not in the room.
The entire program is donation-based with several organizations and businesses contributing, including the Butler AM Rotary Club, Friedman’s, and Stantec.
“When we’re talking hungry children, it’s easier to get things,” said Liane Chisholm, another retired teacher and volunteer.
Volunteers also have specialized bags for students with allergies. They’ve been accommodating gluten-free, red-dye free and peanut-free diets.
Program officials have plans to send a larger care package home over Thanksgiving break, providing students with a five-day food supply.
The program accepts food and monetary donations at the school.
Nonperishable food and items that only need water added to be served will be accepted, including: single-serve cereal boxes, fruit cups, applesauce, goldfish crackers and pudding containers. Also accepted are granola bars, instant oatmeal, cereal bars, easy macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, microwaveable pasta or rice meals, canned or microwaveable soups, sandwich crackers, microwave popcorn and nonrefrigerated, individual servings of Nesquik lowfat milk.
Checks can be made to the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation or to the McQuistion Backpack Initiative.
For information, contact Thomas at kimberly_thomas@butler.k12.pa.us or call the school at 724-214-3900.
