Back Packs fill needy students over weekends

Marie McLean packs food into one of the 'cinch sacks' some students will be taking home today, insuring they get meals over the weekend.
(T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

In a way, these children can thank Hurricane Katrina for the help they are getting now. According to Terry Looper the supervisor of student services and one of the driving forces behind the Back Pack Program, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act has been around since 2002, but it wasn't until the hurricane left so many children homeless and need of food and other necessities that it really came into public awareness. Using that same act, Looper and his staff can now identify the children at risk and can help them.

"We're dealing with the education part if it," he said. "It was used to get kids in school faster after Katrina."

Many of the children -- if not all -- identified by the school counselors and social workers are on free or reduced lunches at school -- but that doesn't help over the weekends.

"They might not get a lot of food on weekends," said Dawn Holley of the United Way. The UW is partnering with the school on this project by collecting monetary donations and purchasing supplies.

"That's what we're afraid of," said Looper. "We're not sure, but we want to make sure they're getting something to eat."

Today is the first time the cinch sacks will go home with students, and at a meeting Thursday with the members of the Back Pack committee and other school counselors, Looper stressed the need for discretion.

"We're trying to keep this confidential," he said. "The cinch sacks should fit in their regular back packs."

Before a child can qualify for the program, the parents are interviewed and have to grant permission, unless the student is 18 or older.

"They have to fill out a questionnaire," he said.

Included in that are questions about dietary needs of each child, such as food allergies.

The interview process can also help identify children who are not on the free and reduced lunch program but qualify for it.

A hard part of reaching each child who needs the assistance is finding each child.

"Part of the problem is movement," said Looper. "They're coming into the system, they're moving out of the system."

And the numbers, he said, are growing. Although there are currently 31 "active" children on the list, there have been more than 50 signed up.

The counselors and Back Pack committee members working to feed their students over the weekend include, front row, from left: Margaret Anne Cobb, school counselor; Patricia Petty, school counselor and committee member; Marie McLean, school social worker and committee member; Terry Looper, supervisor of student services and committee member; Cynthia Cox, school social worker and committee member; Tracy Watson, school counselor and committee member; Rita Castelow, school counselor and committee member; and Dawn Holley, director of United Way of Bedford County and committee member. Back row: Alie Dashiell, school counselor; Jean Williams, school counselor and committee member; Gayle Gragg, school counselor; Carrie Brooke Simmons, school counselor; and Mark Hall, school counselor. Not pictured are committee members Betty Farrar, supervisor of elementary schools, Connie Boutwell, federal projects; and Michelle Mullaney, school counselor.
(T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

"If you know of any civic groups, any churches that would like to help, call them," Looper told the counselors.

The long-term effects of the program could be beneficial in more than one ways. Not only does the child stay healthier, he can become a better student. In a letter asking for donations, Looper wrote:

"Scientific evidence suggests that hungry children are less likely to become productive citizens. In Tennessee, 23 percent of all children live in food insecure households, which mean they do not always know where they will find their next meal. Tennessee has the seventh highest rate of child food insecurity in the nation. A child who is unequipped to learn because of hunger and poverty is more likely to be poor as an adult."

"Children who have enough food on the weekend are different," added Looper. "They are ready to focus on learning. They are not worried about food and they are not stressed due to hunger."

School Social workers Marie McLean and Cynthia Cox will pack the cinch sacks every Thursday and deliver them to the schools on Friday morning. Before the children leave for the day, their counselors will discreetly give them the sacks, reminding them to bring the empty bags back on Monday.

The Back Pack Program offers healthy foods that don't necessarily require cooking, but give children something more to eat over the weekends.
(T-G Photo by Mary Reeves)

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Peanut butter crackers

Cheese and crackers

Apple sauce cups

Mixed fruit cups

Vienna sausage (pull tabs)

Beanee Weenee (pull tabs)

Fruit juice box

Granola bars

Ramen noodles

Pop tarts

Cereal

Raisins

Dried fruit

Holley said they also hope to send home health and hygiene items soon, at least once a month. Some of those include:

Toothpaste

Toothbrushes

Soap

Shampoo

Deodorant

Feminine hygiene items

Money is always welcome. The United Way has offered to assist in this, accepting cash and checks (made out to Back Pack Program of United Way of Bedford County), then using the money to buy any supplies not provided by donation. The donations can be sent to Back Pack Program of United Way of Bedford County, P.O. Box 1438, Shelbyville, TN 37160. For more information, contact Looper at 684-3284, ext. 2210.