NEWS

06/10

The McPherson County Community Foundation and United Way of McPherson County announced the summer lunch program to benefit children and families will begin on June 2, 2010.

The purpose of the program is to provide nutritional food to children in McPherson during the summer months. Low-income, food insecure children rely on school breakfasts and lunches throughout the school year, but have no such support through the summer months. Most have limited supplies of food for the summer. The program, starting with the 2009 summer, provides kid-friendly food such as cereal, sandwich supplies, healthy snacks and single-serve fruit cups and pudding.

Studies show that young children who grow up with food insecurity are more likely to have impaired growth and development, which leads to cognitive delays during the early school years. The impact on development is compounded by poor health and physical impairments, which cause children to lag even further behind their peers. When children struggle cognitive development and learning, taxpayers pay the price through increased special education costs in our schools.

Volunteers work to purchase the food, set up the assembly line for packing, pack grocery sacks with food for a week and deliver the sacks to the homes of the participating families. Last year, 94 children representing 36 families participated in the program. Currently, 162 children from 59 families have registered to receive food.
“We would like to encourage anyone interested in helping with the program to contact us for a list of volunteer jobs,” stated Carianne Short, Summer Lunch Program Coordinator.

The 2010 program has received its primary source of funding from a Kansas Health Foundation Recognition Grant, a grant from the Hospira Foundation, and a donation from the Ameriprise Financial Services Fund. The Community Foundation and United Way are also accepting monetary gifts to help offset the costs of the program. It is anticipated $94.93 per child will be spent during the summer. Food donations will also be accepted. A list of approved items for packing can be obtained by contacting the MCCF or United Way office.

Brenda Sales, United Way Director, and Becky Goss, MCCF Director, indicated the 2009 program was a huge success and illustrated how much of need there was for the program to continue.

Registrations forms for families needing assistance can be obtained through the United Way or Community Foundation office. People interested in working as a volunteer or to donate money or food may also contact the offices. The United Way is located at 306 N. Main and the phone number is 241-5152. The Community Foundation is located at 206 S. Main and the phone number is 245-9070.