(This news comes from the Sunrise Rotary)
West Plains, MO. – The Sunrise Rotary Club of West Plains is kicking off its annual fundraising campaign for the Children’s Weekend Food backpack program.
The program is in its 11th year and provides food during the weekends to help meet the nutritional needs of children between the ages of 5 and 13 that struggle with hunger during the weekends.
The program this year will cost about $36,000 to $38,000 for the 146 kids that the program feeds every weekend. All monetary donations are greatly appreciated and 100% of the money raised for the backpack program goes to the purchasing of the food. Donations of any amount may be mailed to West Plains Sunrise Rotary, P.O. Box 1832, West Plains, MO 65775. Checks should be made payable to West Plains Sunrise Rotary.
The fundraising begins now and culminates with the 20th Annual West Plains “Tom Smith” West Plains Sunrise Rotary Club Spring Golf Classic. The golf tournament is a 3-person scramble set for Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the North Terra Golf Course. The club is seeking sponsors for the golf tournament. Available sponsorship levels include: Platinum level – $1000, Gold level – $500, Silver level – $250 and Bronze level – $125.
The backpack program is in place because the community has a very high food insecure situation with homes where children have very little food. As the schools do provide sufficient nutrition throughout the week there is the issue of kids going through the weekend with very little food. Club members work with the school officials to serve children identified by school counselors and teachers who notice the kids that return to school after the weekend appearing to have had a lack of nourishment. The website, www.feedingamerica.org also provides information about food insecurity in our area. According to school counselors and teachers, the program benefits kids educationally because with this food they can come to school ready to learn after the weekend. It is hard to expect children to learn and behave if they come to school hungry.
This program would not be possible without the support from this community and the members of the Sunrise Rotary Club greatly appreciate that support.
