Summer Meal Program could use some extra hands

  • The Summer Meal Program Prep Crew was busy last week getting everything in order for 750 bags filled with meals for children to be packed. Another 160 family meal bags would also be prepared. The crew includes, from left, Kathleen Holt, Vicki Smith, Dave Tickner, Kathleen Tickner and Barbara Davenport.
    The Summer Meal Program Prep Crew was busy last week getting everything in order for 750 bags filled with meals for children to be packed. Another 160 family meal bags would also be prepared. The crew includes, from left, Kathleen Holt, Vicki Smith, Dave Tickner, Kathleen Tickner and Barbara Davenport.
  • aThe Fresh Produce and Family Meal Packers of the Summer Food Program were all business last week as they went about their weekly volunteer effort. Members of this crew include, from left, Bill Echelberger, Zac Meaders, Ann Brayley, Carol Ross and Sherry Echelberger. They are part of the summer volunteer team that packs 750 bags for children and 160 for families every week. The packing is more than double what Snack in a Backpack does every week during the school year.
    aThe Fresh Produce and Family Meal Packers of the Summer Food Program were all business last week as they went about their weekly volunteer effort. Members of this crew include, from left, Bill Echelberger, Zac Meaders, Ann Brayley, Carol Ross and Sherry Echelberger. They are part of the summer volunteer team that packs 750 bags for children and 160 for families every week. The packing is more than double what Snack in a Backpack does every week during the school year.

    Summer Meal Program volunteers are busy every week, four days a week, packing bags of food to help feed Fannin children and families.

    This year’s program is in its third week and Debby Beck, executive director of Snack in a Backpack, has issued a call for help.

    “2022 is larger than ever, we still need you,” she said.

    The biggest need is for help getting the bags of food to those who are hungry, but any help will be appreciated.

    There is plenty to do.

    Beck said the week before last volunteers packed 725 children’s bags on Monday.

    Tuesday the program received a delivery from the Food Bank with an additional two tons of food.

    Wednesday, several hundreds pounds of fresh produce were received from Feed Fannin and 160 family meal bags were packed with enough food for four. That’s a total of 885 bags, more than the 660 packed each week last year and more than double the weekly average of 400 bags Snack in a Backpack provides to children every week during the school year.

    Then, Thursday, all the bags were delivered. Beck said a special thank you to Faith Presbyterian Church for their part in this effort.

    Monday packing begins at 9 a.m. The Food Bank truck is unloaded every other Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. Work starts Wednesday morning at 8:30 and the delivery effort gets underway Thursday at 9:45 a.m.

    “There is plenty for everyone to do,” Beck said.

    “Due to inflation, the increase in food costs, and shortages at the food banks, all donations are welcome and are needed for families with children,” Beck continued.

    To volunteer, contact Mary Kaye at bailey.marykaye@gmail.com, or Debby Beck at backpackfannin@gmail.com or call her at 706-851-8174.

    Anyone wishing to donate money should go to snackinabackpack.org to donate to the Summer Meal Program or mail a check to Snack in a Backpack, P.O. Box 2123, Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513.

    Besides volunteers from Snack in a Backpack, Feed Fannin, and Faith Presbyterian Church who take part, others from St. Luke’s Anglican Episcopal Church and Temple Baptist Church are helping.

    “Everyone is welcome,” Beck said.