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Snack pack program aids local fourth and fifth graders in need

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Volunteers from three of the churches in McGregor’s Ecumenical Council—First Lutheran, First Congregational and St. Mary’s—meet monthly to assemble snack packs of food for fourth and fifth graders at the MFL MarMac McGregor Center who are in need of food during weekends away from the school’s regularly-provided meals. Volunteers include (left to right) Dorothy Peterson, Mary Chappell, Meda Weller, Edith Nading, Alice Staples, Von Redemske, Gerrie Hendrickson, Linda Munson, Carol Grady, Rachel Pruett and Betty Sweeter. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Volunteers Alice Staples, Betty Sweeter, Dorothy Peterson and Gerrie Hendrickson work to assemble the snack packs, Ziploc bags filled with foods like cereal, fruit snacks, cheesy crackers, pudding cups, apple sauce, juice boxes, granola bars and macaroni and cheese.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

“It’s very sad to think about someone going hungry.”

Those were the thoughts of Alice Staples, a local resident who, along with other members from the churches within McGregor’s Ecumenical Council, are working to make sure that isn’t the case for kids in the MFL MarMac School District.

Every month, these volunteers get together to assemble snack packs, gallon Ziploc bags filled with food to tide kids over during weekends away from the school’s regularly-provided meals.

The program was established over five years ago by women from the Living Faith United Methodist Church in McGregor (one of the four churches in the Ecumenical Council), who began making snack packs for kids in junior kindergarten through third grade. Volunteers at St. Mary’s Catholic Church later followed, making snack packs for fourth and fifth graders at the McGregor Center. In the past year, the remaining churches in the Ecumenical Council—the First Congregational Church and First Lutheran Church—joined St. Mary’s volunteers.

“Between the Ecumenical Council, we’re covering both schools,” said volunteer Linda Munson.

Around five to 12 volunteers from the three churches gather once each month to assemble the snack packs, which contain items like cereal, fruit snacks, cheesy crackers, pudding cups, apple sauce, juice boxes, granola bars and macaroni and cheese.

They currently make enough snack packs for 19 students in fourth and fifth grades each week.

Middle school guidance counselor Marnie Carlson, who helps confidentially administer the snack packs to students, said 18 kids currently receive snack packs, which is down from 23 last year.

“Everyone had a hard time realizing there were hungry kids in the area,” Munson said.

However, once the need was discovered, area community members have readily stepped up to help.

“Anything you ask people to do, you get a good response,” Munson noted. “I believe we all should give back to our community any way we can. It is the right thing to do.”

The snack pack program recently received some financial aid through a $250 Thrivent Financial community action card, which will go toward the purchase of food. Thrivent members can apply for the cards twice each year, to use toward community projects or fundraisers. Last month, the group of ladies who assembles snack packs at Living Faith United Methodist Church also received a card.

“It is good that we can take care of our own and help the children,” added Rachel Pruett, a fellow volunteer.

The students and their families are appreciative of the gesture, Carlson said.

“This is an invaluable service to our kids at school whose parents are struggling financially and can use the extra assistance for weekend meals and snacks,” she said. “During hard times economically, people need to lean on each other, and this is one small way that the school and local churches can work together to help families going through a tough time. It brightens the kids’ day on Friday morning to get their snack packs in their lockers and see what yummy food is there that week.”

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