Thanks to the organized efforts of many concerned citizens of Houston, a significant number of elementary school students who might otherwise go hungry will receive free meals during the weekend.
Through a program known as “Blessings in a Backpack,” 20 kids in kindergarten through fifth grade and four of their younger siblings receive complete meals each weekend. Children targeted by the program have been identified by teachers and other staff members at Houston Elementary School as not having adequate access to food on weekends.
Rather than using actual backpacks, teachers place disposable brown paper bags containing lunches into kids’ existing packs. The charitable deed is performed discreetly each Friday while children are outside the classroom (like at recess, art or p.e.), so the only people who necessarily know are the recipient and their parents, who signed permission forms.
The program got under way locally a couple of months ago, and is to some extent patterned after a national program bearing the same name. The effort is spearheaded by individuals from several groups, including Houston resident Jeff McNiell.
“I got a call from a woman who said we should be doing this in our community, she just didn’t know how to accomplish it,” McNiell said. “We’re not under a national umbrella; it just started with reaching out to people and finding out who might be interested.”
McNiell said the kids tabbed by teachers are all known to be deserving of assistance.
“A lot of them have been in the system long enough that teachers know they’re not getting enough to eat,” he said. “They might be hungry in class, or not performing well, but there are usually tell-tale signs.
“But it’s all done so discreetly, we don’t even know who the kids are. And we don’t care –– that’s not relevant to what we’re doing.”
One person expressing interest in helping get the program going was Texas County Food Pantry director Bennie Cook, who offered to help set up a checking account.
“It really began to come to fruition at that point,” McNiell said, “because we had an official organization on board that we could make purchases through and that sort of thing.”
That account began the school year bearing a $5,000 balance, which McNiell said should be enough to take care of the 24 children involved until the summer break.
Half of that money was raised through donations from business, churches and individuals, and half from a matching grant Cook secured through his association with the Free Masons.
“It’s really amazing to see the way this has happened,” Cook said, “and the way so many people are being affected. I was glad to get myself and pantry involved.”
While much of the food distributed through the program is purchased through food pantry channels, some is gathered through food drives.
Some cash donors have agreed to contribute on a monthly basis, while others provided singular donations. Among the organizations that have helped fund the program are Cornerstone Christian Church, First Baptist Church (Houston), Oak Hill Christian Church, Landmark Bank, Texas Lodge #177 Charity Fund, Hidden Treasures, Central Baptist Church, Houston Lions Club, First Christian Church and Community Bank, N.A.
McNiell said there have also been many one-time private donors. He also said more financial assistance is needed to assist more children. Donations can be made through Cook at the food pantry.
Some of the people involved in carrying out the program’s mission are members of Houston High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), who prepare the lunch bags for distribution each Wednesday afternoon. This Friday is the first day food will be sent home with the elementary students.
Missouri Eighth Congressional District Rep. Jo Ann Emerson heard about what was happening with the program and felt led to find out more. She paid a visit to the food pantry Monday morning and met with Cook, McNiell and others connected to the program, and quickly recognized how it would not only impact young recipients, but FCA participants as well.
“In spite of the fact that most of you might come from a middle-class family and have the ability to get what you need and do what you need,” Emerson said, “a lot of people don’t and desperately need some help. I think the best way to do that – as much as it is possible – is through volunteering.
“But just the fact that all of you are doing this is awesome.”
While the local version of the backpack program now appears to be solidly in place, attempts have been made in the past to initiate it, but met with unsurpassable obstacles.
“It’s my understanding that this has been something that teachers have identified before as a need in our community,” McNiell said. “They tried to get it going, but it failed for lack of support. Finally, enough people came together and were able to raise enough money and put together the resources to make it happen.”
Despite its recent beginnings, the local backpack program has already begun to expand. Eighth-grade student Lewis Miller has helped get it going at Raymondville, and as a result, 15 kids there now eat better on weekends.
Miller got his motivation from a challenge issued to he and other attendees of the 2011 Junior National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
“We were challenged to do something that had a positive effect on our communities,” he said. “When I heard about the backpack program, I thought it would be a good idea.”
McNiell and others involved with the program envision further expansion of its influence, and talks have begun regarding possible fundraising events and other means of increasing resources.
“The middle school has expressed some interest and indicated they have some kids who might benefit,” McNiell said. “Right now we’re just targeting kids who desperately need help, but if the funds are there we could also reach out to kids who are getting some amount of food, but could use more.
“The bottom line is, we don’t want to stay where we’re at. We want to help more kids.”
The “Blessings in a Backpack” program will feed 20 elementary students and four siblings this school year. But organizers would like to assist even more children. To make a donation, contact Bennie Cook at the Texas County Food Pantry at 417-967-4484 or tcfpdirector@centurytel.net.