Renewed Resolve, Program Creation & Community Support!
Posted July 30, 2021 by Chris Evans at 4:57 PM
Dedicated volunteers and our Community Kit Program
When Feed Northland Kids created this program in March 2020 to feed families unable to reach our in-school pantries, at a time it was needed most and even more families would become food-insecure, we could not accurately predict how long the program would need to be in place.
Most middle and high schools operated on a hybrid schedule for those who did not select virtual learning. With kids and families only able to access the in-school pantries two out of five days, and so many more hungry families in need, we continued the program and moved the distribution sites to school buildings. Beginning in early September 2020 and going through late June 2021, we packed and distributed or delivered 26,000 Community Food Kits. A steady 750 families were picking up or receiving these kits and produce boxes from one of our eight sites, for the bulk of the school year. Combined with our Spring 2020 distribution, we served 35,300 kits.
Our board of directors and executive director are of one mind: Feed hungry children and families in our area of Kansas City. A pandemic only served to solidify our intent. Bringing the product to the kids and families was the only way to ensure hungry kids and families in our middle and high school age groups continued to have access to healthy, nutritious and regularly available food.
We have identified a continuing nook of families in need of this assistance, due in part to the lingering pandemic and the Community Food Kit has become our third program. Our resolve to ensure our kids and families are fed remains strong!
“Because of the pandemic, people have a much keener understanding that hunger is right here.“ Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot.
Our 11th annual Bill Cross 5K Walk/Run for BackSnacks will take place October 10, 2021. New this year is a partnership with Festa Italiana – the three-day event inside the streets and on the stage at Zona Rosa. Each 5k registration will receive a free drink ticket! Grab details and register here!
Northland Night at Harvesters– Thursdays 6 to 8 pm. Come help us pack the BackSnacks taken home by 1,700 children in Clay and Platte counties each Friday!
Below is the schedule for the 2021-2022 school year. We have 40 openings for each date. Volunteers need to be 16 or older. Please contact Chris via email or call 816-301-4483 to secure your spot (or your entire group)! We can also schedule different nights for your group.
