All it took was one seemingly normal Monday to open the eyes of Jennifer Moore. Born and raised in Gainesville, she never realized the extent of child hunger in Alachua County—let alone in her own child’s classroom.
“It was one of those moments that I’ll never forget,” Moore said.
She decided to make her daughter’s birthday special by bringing pizza and treats to school. Moore quickly noticed some children’s eating behavior seemed extreme. After speaking with a teacher, Moore learned that some of these students had barely eaten during the weekend, since the school-provided lunch on Friday.
She was disturbed that 8-year-old children, who seemed no different than her own, were not receiving adequate nutrition. Before witnessing the truth, Moore’s vision of a starving child was compiled from the ones she saw on television with ripped clothing. With a visual image of what a hungry child actually looked like, Moore left her daughter’s school that day feeling the need to make a difference.
This is how the Food4Kids Backpack Program began in March 2010. After much planning, and with the help of co-founder Todd Morrone, Food4Kids Backpack Program of North Florida opened in 2011.
Food4Kids is a volunteer-run, registered nonprofit that sends referred children home on Friday with backpacks of food for all school-aged children in the household to last the weekend. On Monday, the empty backpacks are returned.
In February, approximately 250 children were served each weekend.
Thirteen schools are now involved with the Food4Kids Backpack Program – two of which are high schools. One goal of the program is to keep students fueled so the cycle of poverty can be broken by enabling them to continue their education as long as possible.
Food4Kids is sustained entirely on community support. With its continued growth, the program aims to reach the goal of participation in 100 percent of Alachua County schools.
Bread of the Mighty Food Bank and the Gainesville Television Network (GTN) have played invaluable roles in the program’s achievements. They have been two of Food4Kids greatest supporters, according to Moore.
A story GTN News ran on Food4Kids is what initially got Morrone aware of the program. After seeing the broadcast, he contacted Moore to join the mission.
“Everyone has kind of jumped in – seen the need, and that’s where our success has come from,” Moore said.
Reserveage Organics is the newest sponsor to become involved with Food4Kids. The company decided to extend its community service and chose to partner with Food4Kids by helping the program expand to its 13th school site at Hidden Oak Elementary.
“We are so thrilled to partner with the Food4Kids Backpack Program,” said Naomi Whittel, founder and CEO of Reserveage Organics. “Helping children in need by providing food for the weekends is something that is near and dear to our hearts. We are fortunate to be able to positively impact a child’s life.”
Other local businesses have given support in many different ways as well. Earlier this year, the Swamp Restaurant reached out to Food4Kids by holding a philanthropy dinner night, which raised $2,538 – enough to sponsor 10 children for one year. Grace United Methodist Women is also fundraising for the program with a garage sale April 21.
Gainesville Regional Utilities’ employees have been supportive volunteers for the Food4Kids program by packing backpacks and collecting food items.
“It’s important to try to improve the quality of life for everyone in our community, said Torri Messer, GRU business systems analyst. “The Food4Kids Backpack Program is just one way GRU and its employees can give back to our community.”
Sponsoring one child for a weekend costs $6, which adds up to seven meals. To sponsor a child for an entire year, $250 covers 38 weekends, including extended breaks.
“One of the greatest joys is seeing our partnerships and supporters grow,” Moore said. “Knowing that one more child is going to bed with food in their belly and that we’re reducing child hunger locally is rewarding.”
Visit www.food4kidsbackpackprogram.com to learn more about ways to become involved.