Rotary’s Feed Our Children Program enters its 15th year

By Jo Bridges   |.  Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs

In Pagosa Springs, we believe no child should ever go hungry. Yet, the reality is that many children in our community face food insecurity. The Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs and Pagosa Springs Mountain Rotary Club have been working to combat this issue through our Feed Our Children program, which will begin its 15th year of providing weekend meals to families in need this August.

 

Last year, we served 40 families, involving 94 children, which was our largest ever participation.

All public school children are provided a free breakfast and lunch each school day, a crucial service that ensures they have meals during the week. However, the need doesn’t stop when the school day ends.

The Feed Our Children program bridges this gap by supplying nutritious food to children every weekend throughout the school year. Each Thursday, third- and fourth-graders from participating families pick up backpacks at school, filled with food for all of the children in the family to enjoy over the weekend. Our goal is to help children return to school on Monday, happy, nourished, and ready to learn. This initiative complements the efforts of local food banks by providing additional food specifically chosen to appeal to children and requiring minimal preparation.

 
  
A lack of access to adequate nutrition during weekends and school breaks can significantly hinder a child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive. Food insecurity creates obstacles to their development and well-being. Rotary’s goal is to help remove this barrier, ensuring that every child has the nourishment they need to succeed.
 
The feedback we’ve received has been incredibly positive. Parents have shared that this program has “… made a huge difference because we are no longer stressed about whether we will be able to put food on our table.” The children, whom we consider vital partners in supporting their families, have enthusiastically described the program as “fun,” with food selections they find “awesome,” “great,” and “really good.”

Teachers and school staff, who see the impact of hunger on students firsthand, have been equally supportive, calling the program “… unbelievably important for the health, happiness, and ability to concentrate for these children.”

This program wouldn’t be possible without the support of the school staff and the overwhelming generosity of our community. Churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals have all contributed, making it clear that we stand united in our belief that no child should ever go hungry. The Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library also supports the program by hosting a collection box near its entrance, where community members can donate needed food items.

If you’d like to make a monetary contribution, checks can be mailed to the Rotary Community Assistance Fund (CAF) — Feed Our Children, P.O. Box 685, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. Donations can also be made online at: https://tinyurl.com/ybz3mzja. All donations go directly to the program, with no administrative or overhead costs. As a 501(c)(3) organization, your donation is tax-deductible.

If you know of a third- or fourth-grade family who could benefit from this program, please encourage them to contact the elementary school. For any questions, feel free to reach out to Jo Bridges at (707) 980-4905 or Lassie Olin at (949) 422-9976.

In 2020, we expanded our commitment to the community by launching the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs’ Literacy Program, which provides books to participants in the Feed Our Children program. Thanks to a generous grant, this program continues to thrive, with new books distributed to students at the beginning, middle, and end of each school year.