Brownies Give Back
Many residents of the Inland Empire are feeling the challenges brought on by our current economic state. However, what most of us don’t realize is that one in four children residing in the Inland Empire are living in poverty. Over half of our students depend on free lunch programs through the public schools they attend. These programs are crucial to these kids because for many of them, it’s the only dependable meal they can expect from day to day.
That’s where the Kids Pack program steps up to provide food for homeless and low-income students throughout the Inland Empire. The nutritious foods are discretely distributed to students inside of backpacks so that they can eat over the weekend when they are not in school. Most of these kids don’t have regular access to dietary staples, including fresh fruits and vegetables. The effect that this has on the work and attendance of the recipients is clear and far reaching.
In 2011 – 30,000 backpacks of food were given to needy kids, which means that approximately 90,000 meals were provided to 1,011 children. Five area districts and 63 schools participated in the program during the school year from 2010 – 2011. The school districts working with the Kids Pack program in 2012 include:
Chino Valley Unified School District
Fontana Unified School District
Ontario-Montclair School District
Pomona Unified School District
Redlands Unified School District
Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District
To find out about the Inland Empire Kids Pack program or to become a volunteer please visit their website.
For your source of California news and entertainment remember to watch California Life airing statewide and at www.californialifehd.com!
Tags: brownies give back, inland empire, kids pack program, low income food, United Way