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GOALS AND ACTIVITIES

Provide weekly food backpacks to children referred by school and community personnel. Each week children bring fresh food to their homes. Provide outdoor games and activities to promote healthy lifestyles at the Boys & Girls Club of Richland County’s summer programs for camp participants and kids in the Summer Food Program hosted by the Club.

POPULATIONS SERVED

School-age children in Richland County, about 40 percent served were disadvantaged. The bulk of the children are in grades K to 5.

MAJOR PARTNERS AND FUNDERS

Boys & Girls Club of Richland County, No Kid Hungry Grant, Sidney Public Schools, Fairview Public Schools, Oneok MidStreams, 4H, AmeriCorps, Farm Bureau, Montana Food Bank Network, Foundation for Community Care, and Enerplus

MAJOR OUTCOMES

Served 50 students with food backpacks last year and hope to grow the program to 100 this year. Also included low- to moderate-income children outside of the Boys & Girls Club summer camp in outdoor games and activities.

INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS

Shared information with local housing organizations to encourage participation. Program was also featured at meetings of Partnership for Promise and Communities in Action. Community organizations provided resources, such as bags, fresh fruit, and vegetables. Cooperation between the local schools and Boys & Girls Club was pivotal in making this happen.

ADVICE FOR OTHERS

“Work with community partners and seek grant funding to get started. Once the program is launched, community support will probably maintain it because it touches people’s hearts.” — Elaine Stedman, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Richland County