“End 68 Hours of Hunger”
Posted by Hugh Phillis
on Mar 30, 2015
On March 30th, Sandy Gribbin-Perrin addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding “End 68 Hours of Hunger”. The issue of the hours between end of school on Friday and the beginning of school on Monday represent potentially 68 hours. Those students who receive school lunch and breakfast have this concern. “End 68 Hours of Hunger” is a program focused on ending childhood hunger in America.
Sandy explained that children who receive no food on the weekend arrive on Monday famished, low on energy and the ability to concentrate on anything but the chance to eat breakfast. Good nutrition on weekends gives them a 30% improvement in school and testing performance and are more likely to complete higher grades and be successful.
They organization is 100% volunteer run and all contributions go to purchase or provide food to those students in need. Over 1300 bags of food are delivered every week. It takes about $10 per student per week to feed a student. Volunteers work in teams to store, assemble and pack the weekend food supply. Non-perishable donations are accepted and stored in a climate controlled secure storage space.
They organization is 100% volunteer run and all contributions go to purchase or provide food to those students in need. Over 1300 bags of food are delivered every week. It takes about $10 per student per week to feed a student. Volunteers work in teams to store, assemble and pack the weekend food supply. Non-perishable donations are accepted and stored in a climate controlled secure storage space.
Ideal donations are: boxed or bagged nutritional cereal, canned soup/pasta, peanut butter, jelly, mayonnaise, canned tuna or chicken, cans of fruit, crackers, macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, nutrition bars. About 25% of the food is from donations and must not have expired dates. Smaller sized individual portion sized plastic bottles or containers are best.
Local supporters have donated storage space besides manpower to prepare the bags for weekly distribution. Volunteers can work only 1 time per month or more if available. Donated food may be dropped off at Verde Salon on Main St, Keller Williams Realty at Trafalgar Square or Gregory J’s Flooring on Amherst St.. The organization is still looking for a permanent storage and assembly location for their efforts.
There are 12 elementary schools and 3 middle schools that need the support of volunteers to feed Title 1 students who receive the food bags. Most volunteer 3-4 hours per week. A 5 K Road Race is planned as a fundraiser in the fall.