FEED NORTHLAND KIDS
WHO WE ARE
The Northland Childhood Hunger Initiative Fund evolved out of the Northland
Childhood Hunger Fund adopted by the Northland Community Foundation in 2009
to combat childhood hunger in Clay and Platte Counties. In the fall of 2013,
the fund was renamed Feed Northland Kids, to align it with the website name.
WHY WE EXIST - - THE NEED
We exist because there are 3,200 children in the Northland who are
deemed “food insecure,” meaning financial pressures in the home result in
lack of nutritional food availability. While school programs assist before and
during school, weekends are the challenge. These children need food
on the weekend!
WHAT WE ARE DOING.
We have partnered with Harvesters Community Food Network
through their existing BackSnack Program to address this
need. Harvesters’ BackSnack program addresses weekend hunger by providing
healthy, kid-friendly foods for children. Harvesters provides the food and volunteers
pack food kits weekly at Harvesters. A community partnering organization picks
up the empty backpacks from the school, cleans them out and packs them with
food kits. School staff distributes them on Friday to the kids who bring them
back on Monday to start the whole process again. When we began this initiative,
Harvesters was providing backpacks to approximately 1,000 children in
the Northland. Through the support of a number of donors, we have secured
funding to expand this program to 2,800 children in the Northland in 2013.
We can meet the entire need by:
- Growing the BackSnack program to meet the full need of feeding 3,200 chronically
hungry children;
- Expanding the program from 26 elementary schools in Clay and Platte County
to 58;
- Educating the Northland community about childhood hunger; and
- Developing sound relationships with funders, volunteers, community partners
and schools to ensure the sustainability of funding to address childhood hunger
in the Northland.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
It costs $250 to provide a backpack to one child for a year. Join us,
become a “Backpack Buddy” and help erase childhood hunger
from our Northland schools. Studies show students who participate
in this program experience fewer disciplinary issues, increase their attendance
and make better grades. Hunger is the enemy of good education!
JOIN US AND SUPPORT THIS EFFORT with your
tax deductible contribution TODAY!
To make a contribution by credit card, please click the "Donate Now" button below. Please note that your credit card statement will show a charge to the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. You can also make a donation with a check made payable to the Northland Community Foundation with "Feed Northland Kids" in the memo line. Please mail to: Northland Community Foundation, 1055 Broadway Blvd., Suite 130, Kansas City, MO 64105. If you are interested in making a stock contribution or wire transfer, please contact Donor Services at 816-842-7444.