Feeding Today's Youth
In 2010, the first program for school age children was implemented thanks to grant funds at area Boys and Girls Clubs. The children who participated in the program typically arrive at the club after school, staying until closing. Children were offered a hearty after-school snack which was often times the only evening nourishment the children received. Club staff has reported positive changes in the children’s behavior and increased interest in their own nutrition.
Needs were identified among students at Bangor School District due to limited after-school resources. In the spring of 2013, a backpack program was implemented. School staff identify children who seem to have insufficient meals on the weekend or school breaks, and supply them with a “backpack” of food. The package contains a variety of easy to prepare complete meals, snacks, breakfast items, fruits and vegetables, pudding, and shelf stable milk. The purpose of the food package is to provide children with the nourishment they need for proper development and to set them up to return to school on Monday ready to learn.
(Funded in part by We Energies Foundation)
