With the start of a new school year, The Salvation Army of
Michigan City kicked off its annual Weekend Backpack Feeding Program to help
students in Michigan City. This program provides six meals (breakfast, lunch,
and dinner) for students in need, ensuring they have food to eat over the
weekend throughout the school year.
On average, about 450 children in Michigan City Area Schools and Head Start
receive food every week through the Weekend Backpack Feeding Program, serving
students during the 35-week school year. Major Becky Simmons, corps
officer/administrator at The Salvation Army of Michigan City, said this program
is important in fighting food insecurity in Michigan City by helping students
from Pre-K through high school have consistent, nutritious food.
Kristi David, MCAS K-12 Coordinator for Counseling and Support Services, said
all student receive two nutritious meals on school days at no cost. “But we
know that some of our families struggle to make ends meet – and that impacts
their ability to provide meals over the weekend,” she added. “The Salvation
Army is helping us ensure that all students arrive at school on Monday, focused
on learning. We are grateful to The Salvation Army volunteers and funders who
provide these backpacks to hundreds of our students each week.”
The most recent data provided by Michigan City Area Schools states that 77
percent of students enrolled qualify for free/reduced lunch, and further data
from the Home Team of La Porte County states there are currently 86 homeless
households in Michigan City, including 32 children under the age of 18. Based
on this data, Major Simmons said feeding children through the backpack program
is crucial in meeting hunger needs in Michigan City. Last year, 95,622 meals
were provided to students in Michigan City through this program.
“When determining what to include in these bags, we need to take a lot into
consideration,” Major Simmons said. “We look at foods that are healthy, easy
for kids to prepare on their own, appealing to children, affordable, and easily
transportable, but still fits within our budget.”
Contents of these backpack bags currently includes one can of ravioli, one
pouch of chicken, one pouch of soup (beef stew or white chicken chili), one can
of vegetables, two single-serve cereals, one meat stick, one pack of trail mix,
one microwavable macaroni and cheese, one peanut butter packet, two jelly
packets, and a piece of fresh fruit.
Major Simmons expressed gratitude for support from the community that helps
make this program possible, including a team of volunteers from Phi Delta Kappa
who pack 450 bags every week, and a new partnership with Sodexo to deliver the
bags to all MCAS and Head Start sites. Partners who help fund this program
include Health Foundation of La Porte, Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation,
Duneland Health Council, the Mayor’s Empowerment Fund, and 1st
Source Foundation.
More information about this and other programs at The Salvation Army of
Michigan City can be found at www.samichignacity.org or by calling (219)
874-6885.
(219) 874-6885, ext. 1003