Backpack Buddies program aims to end local childhood hunger

A Parkview Elementary kindergarten student burst into tears when she realized that she wasn't going to receive a “backpack” for the weekend due to unforeseen circumstances. When a classmate saw her reaction, he reached into his sack and gave her a box of raisins. 

The little girl's basic need to have an adequate amount of food to get through a weekend is an honest glimpse into the reality of too many Cameron students. In fact, approximately 60 children in the Cameron School District are on a waiting list to receive a weekend “backpack”, a supplemental bag of healthy food items.

Second Harvest Community Food Bank, in conjunction with the Cameron Ministerial Alliance, helps to administer a program called Backpack Buddies. The program provided 120 Cameron elementary students with a sack of  nutritious food for each weekend during the 2015-2016 school year. 

Currently, 132 school children receive a backpack of needed food items, which may include cereal, fruit cups, single serve microwavable meals, cheese sticks, shelf stable milk, applesauce, and peanut butter snacks. All food is single serving, non-perishable, vitamin rich, and kid friendly.  

Copious research studies reveal the physical, cognitive, and psychological impact good nutrition has on children. Consuming healthy foods has a direct link to proper physical growth and development. Evidence shows an increase in the number of chronic illnesses in children with inadequate nutrition, which spills into higher school absentee rates. 

Obviously, food is the necessary fuel to get through a normal day. Chronic hunger affects students cognitively, with higher memory and concentration problems, and psychologically with an increase in anxiety levels and depression. 

A collaborative community effort from individuals, families, churches, clubs, organizations, and businesses would crush childhood hunger in Cameron. Sponsoring one of the 60 children on the  Backpack Buddy waiting list enables a child to perform at their full potential. 

The Backpack Buddy program makes a positive difference in the life of pre-school student Xavier Copple. “My son, Xavier, enjoys receiving his bag from backpack buddies because he looks at it as something that is all his. It is great to have such a program to make sure that every child is able to have food security. It is sad that our community has so much need for this, but I'm glad that it is provided and hope that this program is able to grow from donations that great citizens and businesses provide,” stated Juli Dunham. 

A “Best Buddy” sponsors a child for the entire school year at a fee of $150. A “Good Buddy” sponsors a child for three school quarters ($115). A “Good Friend” sponsors a child for two school quarters ($75), and a “Friend” sponsors a child for one school quarter ($38).  Of course, any amount will help fund the program. All donations to the Backpack Buddies are held in a special account for specific use in this program.

Those interested in becoming a Backpack Buddy sponsor may send a check to the Cameron Ministerial Alliance, PO Box 215, Cameron, Missouri 64429. Please write “Backpack Buddies” on the memo line.

 You may go online to donate to any specific school district of your choice: http://www.ourcommunityfoodbank.org/index.cfm/pageld/40/Backpack %20Buddies/