BackPacks

I had barely taken on this job of Executive Director of The Auburn Food Bank when Bill Kyle came to pitch an idea: "Have you heard of the back pack program" he asked as he pulled out a newspaper article from Tarrant County, Texas -- to this day I have no idea where he got that newspaper.

But what I do know - is that Bill's heart started to spill out all over my desk.....kids were going hungry and Bill was determined to not let that happen in Auburn......

Tarrant County, Texas had done a study on low income families and working through the school district discovered many stories of kids who weren't getting good nutrition on the weekends due to parents needing to work, or neglectful homes, or for whatever reason - and some even told stories of coming to school early on Monday mornings -- standing in line for the free breakfast provided....because they were so hungry.

Bill was sure this was also happening here -- and he was leaving me to figure out how to reach the kids and find the food to feed them.

He didn't leave me stranded with his idea -- he was offering his checkbook and his many talents to help make this happen....all I had to do was just call........

As he walked out the door -- all I could think about is "now what am I going to do?" I can't let Bill Kyle down!

I then thought about some words of wisdom from Mayor Pete Lewis --- "other people's money" !!!!!

I called Arlene Perini from Communities in Schools and ran the idea by her....

All of a sudden - a plan was in place and we pulled off the first year with relative no expense!

Arlene needed to get the buy-in from Superintendent Linda Cowan - who had to sell the vision to the school principals and counselors......backpacks were easy since Costco had already donated "more than you can imagine" to Communities in School's and employee Kayla Sargent started gleaning through our donations for kid friendly foods! Mt View High School students came on board to help pack these each week - and even garnered a grant from Fred Meyers to help purchase the 100% natural fruit juices that we needed.

And the rest is history - today (2007-2008) 95 students receive a backpack with 4 meals and snacks for the weekend.

All because a man named Bill Kyle had an idea.......(Bill Kyle passed away in January 2009)

There are many awesome stories about the backpacks but one of them that has stuck with me is about a young boy here in Auburn - displaced from flooding in New Orleans - family struggling to find jobs and housing - living in their car......was fed each weekend through the back pack program......

In 2008-2009 – We were able to help 125 students each week. In 2010, we added 3 new elementary schools!

FOODS THAT ARE NEEDED: Kid friendly – pop top can types…..low or no sugar – made with real fruit juice!

Tuna Cans / Vacuum packed packages / Vienna Sausages / Fruit Juice Drinks
Instant Oatmeal packs /Small Cereal boxes / Heat and Sip Soups
Easy Macs (Mac & Cheese) / Crackers and Cheese / Crackers and Peanut Butter
Fish Crackers / Cookies – only if they are Nutter Butter – or Healthy Snacks
Granola Bars / Trail Mix / Dried Fruit Mixes (kid friendly varieties)
Single Pack – Apple Sauces and Fruit Cups

When shopping – think about nutritional, healthy foods that can be easily opened and eaten by some as young as 4 or 5 and some as old as 12.