March 20, 2015 at 3:33 p.m.
Weekend Food for Kids feeds hundreds of local children
Weekend Food for Kids feeds hundreds of local children
By Kayla Thomason-
The Rhinelander Area Food Pantry and the School District of Rhinelander feed approximately 200 children from four different schools through the Weekend Food for Kids (WFFK) backpack program.
At the first distribution they served nearly 300 children, according to Jane Motowski, general manager of the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry. That number has since decreased due to families no longer needing the program.
"Economic times are always a large factor (for the number of children we'll have using the program)," said Katie Morois, school counselor at Pelican Elementary School. "Sometimes families just need some extra help. That is what makes this program so wonderful."
Morois is new to the district and has only been involved in WFFK since the beginning of the school year.
When classes started in autumn a note was sent home with all Pelican students informing parents of WFFK. Any parent who showed interest in the program was accepted, Morois said.
"In the past I believe that there had been different criteria used, but this year the food pantry was kind enough to enroll all interested families," she said.
"It's easier just to offer it to everyone because you know what, even if they can supposedly afford it, if they are still hungry then they should get it," Motowski added. "That's the way I look at it. I don't want any kids going hungry. I don't want adults going hungry but you really hate the thought of little kids going hungry."
When students unzip their backpacks they may find easy-to-open and easy-to-prepare meals such as tuna, granola bars, macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, peanut butter and jelly packets, soup, canned fruits and vegetables, breakfast cereal and juice boxes. The bags contain two breakfasts, two meals and snack items.
"We try to put things in there that a kid can prepare by themselves if they have to or even eat out of the can cold," Motowski said. "From the surveys we do at the end of the year the parents do, do quite a bit of preparation."
"Most of the food that is found in the backpacks has nutritional value," Morois added. "Due to the nature of the program, fresh fruits and vegetables aren't able to be included. The food pantry does a wonderful job of making sure the food is as nutritional as possible."
The backpacks that go to families with multiple children receive larger cans of fruits or vegetables.
"In comparison it's about the same as giving them two or three of those little cans," Motowski said.
Children who have food allergies will be accommodated, according to Morois. The program has served children who require gluten-free foods, were lactose intolerant or had other food allergies.
"Initially when I send the form home with students, parents list different types of allergies on the form," Morois said. "For example, if the parents note a peanut allergy, that is listed on the tag attached to the backpack so the volunteers know to avoid items that may contain those things."
Baby food and cereal are provided to families who have children under the age of 1.
Children may also find a toothbrush and toothpaste in their backpack, donated by the Rhinelander Area Ambassadors club and Dr. Daniel Gremban.
Weekend Food for Kids was started when RAFP staff was approached by an AmeriCorps VISTA worker at Pelican School who was concerned about the number of low-income children and felt there was a need to offer the program.
RAFP worked with the UW-Extension office to work out a menu and the program continued from there.
"I think it's a very worthwhile project, like I say, I don't think anybody wants children going hungry," Motowski said. "We will continue the program as long as it's needed and we can afford it."
The Aspirus Health Foundation recently donated $5,000 to WFFK.
"For our families, (the donation) means that we can continue sending home food backpacks every week," Morois said. "Our families can know that the extra food will be available to them, and they won't have to worry about meals not being available."
Ministry Health Care and Security Health have also made donations to WFFK.
Schools that are participating in WFFK are Pelican Elementary School, Central Intermediate School, Crescent Elementary School and Northwoods Community Elementary School. Families can sign up to use the service any time of the year by calling a participating school.
To volunteer at RAFP or with stuffing backpacks, contact the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry at (715) 369-7237.
Those who wish to make monetary donations to the program may do so at BMO Harris Bank or the RAFP and write "WFFK" in the memo line.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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