Program Helps Kids In Canton Area Get Free Meals

From Stark County Hunger Task Force: Stark County Hunger Task Force launched three new Backpack for Kids programs this school year boosting the number of youths receiving free weekend meals by nearly 75 percent.

With the expansion, 654 kids will take home two breakfasts, two lunches and snacks each week through the SCHTF programs in six schools in Canton, Massillon and Plain Township.

Schools adding programs include Beacon Academy at 1379 Garfield Ave SW, Canton, funded by St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, and Gorrell Elementary School at 2420 Schuler Ave NW and Whittier Elementary School at 1212 10th St NE, both in Massillon and funded by the Rotary Club of Massillon.
Stark County Hunger Task Force continues backpack programs established in 2008 at Cedar Elementary School, 2823 9th St SW, Canton, and Franklin Elementary School, 1237 16th St SE, Massillon. Taft Elementary School, 3829 Guilford Ave NW, Plain Township, was added in 2009.

Stark County Hunger Task Force collaborates with these local schools and contributors to source, assemble and deliver bags of non-perishable food into the hands of children at risk of weekend hunger.

“During last school year through three schools, SCHTF distributed some 375 ‘backpacks’ a week,” said Maureen Tate, SCHTF executive director. “We are absolutely excited to expand that to a weekly capacity of 654 ‘backpacks’ with the additional three schools. Through their financial support, St. Michaels and the Rotary of Massillon made this expansion possible.”

For the many kids who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school, where are those meals on the weekends? In Stark County, 22 percent of children live in households struggling with hunger.
Thanks to the school liaisons, volunteers at the schools and at SCHTF and financial benefactors, kids through Stark County Hunger Task Force Backpack for Kids programs receive weekly bags of food from which they can assemble four healthy, kid-friendly meals to sustain them over the weekends.

According to Feeding America, hunger may impact a child’s ability to perform well in school. Children need nutrients so they can grow, develop and focus on learning instead of thinking about their empty bellies.
Backpack for Kids Programs seek to enable children to look forward to meals they can count on over the weekend and to help them return to school every Monday alert and ready to concentrate on learning.
In addition, Stark County Hunger Task Force supports Backpack for Kids programs in three of its network pantries in Canton: Canton Calvary Mission, 1345 Gibbs Ave. NE; Sherrick Road Church of God, 1121 Sherrick Rd. SE, and Grace United Church of Christ at 2300 Cleveland Ave. N., maintain in Canton.

How to help children get the weekend meals they need:

• Donate – Give on line at http://starkhunger.org/take-action/donate/ or mail a check payable to Stark County Hunger Task Force to SCHTF, PO Box 20941, Canton, Ohio, 44701.
• Fundraiser or food drive – Hold a fundraiser or food drive with your neighbors or coworkers, go tohttp://starkhunger.org/take-action/fundraisers/ or call 330.455.6667 for assistance.
• Volunteer – sign up on line to help pack bags at http://starkhunger.org/backpackvolunteer/ or contact Stephanie Sweany at 330-455-6667 or by email at stephanie@starkhunger.org.

Founded in 1981, Stark County Hunger Task Force at 408 9th St. SW, Canton, leads the battle against hunger in Stark County. Operating almost entirely on donations, SCHTF provides free groceries to over 29,000 individuals every month through more than 30 food pantries, Backpacks for Kids programs and an emergency pantry. For more information, call 330.455.6667 or visit SCHTF online at www.starkhunger.org.

Photo courtesy of Stark County Hunger Task Force