Elkins Rotary hears update on food program
ELKINS — Members of the Rotary Club of Elkins heard a presentation Monday about a local food donation program that helps children in Randolph County Schools.
First United Methodist Church of Elkins sponsors a backpack food program with help from many members of the church and the local community, said organizer Liz Marshall-MacVean during Rotary’s lunch meeting, which took place at the Elkins-Randolph County YMCA.
In its eighth year, the backpack food program provides 160 to 200 food packs each week to children in the county who are at risk of going hungry on weekends or when school is not in session.
“It started with eight kids, and now we’re up to, at times, 200,” MacVean said, adding the volunteers are happy to continue as long as there is a need. “We’ll handle it as long as we can, but we need your help to do that.”
She noted the Rotary Club and other community organizations, churches and businesses have contributed food and monetary donations over the years to keep the program going year-round, which is greatly appreciated. The program can cost an average of $2,500 per month, and foods include peanut butter, granola bars, fruit cups, soups, crackers and other easy-to-prepare items.
The food items are sorted and packed each week by church volunteers, and then distributed to schools on Friday mornings or the day before a holiday break. MacVean noted the program is confidential, and no names are provided by the schools — just the number of students in need that week, based on information from teachers and administrators.
At the beginning of the school year, students who do not have a backpack are provided with one, and after that, the food items are simply given to students to put in their own backpacks and take home.
“It’s a great need around here,” MacVean added, explaining many students, including children as young as 5, come from homes where regular meals are not guaranteed. “You would be surprised.”
Anyone who would like information about supporting the backpack food program can contact First United Methodist Church at 304-636-0660.