Rotary Backpack Food for Kids
Rotary Backpack Food for Kids
It's Monday morning and 1 out of 5 Darien, Illinois elementary school students are hungry. They are groggy. Not fully engaged. They are falling behind. Darien District 61 Superintendent Dr. Robert Carlo says, “some of these students end up in the nurse's office complaining of headaches or upset stomachs which the nurse knows is easily cured with a healthy meal."
Over the weekend, their families were not able to provide sustained nutrition. Back in school, they will receive free or reduced price meals from the school district. It can be Wednesday before they regain their full potential to learn. Caring teachers will spend class time helping them keep up, making this an issue that can affect all students in the class.
Hunger
Hunger can be living right next door
Hunger
Hunger can be living right next door
It can be hard to believe that hunger is such a common problem in our community. Hunger is a quiet struggle. Families can be fearful of the stigma of asking for help. Your own neighbors may be facing challenges and in the struggle to make ends meet choose to forego meals to keep the heat on.
The Rotary Club of Darien has been attacking this problem by assembling packages of shelf stable food that local school districts can discreetly place into an undernourished learner’s backpack on Friday afternoon so that they can continue to be fully nourished over the weekend.
This school year we have been able to provide Backpack Food for Kids assistance every weekend to 165 students in need. However, Superintendent Dr. Robert Carlo estimates that in his district alone there are over 400 children currently in need of assistance. “Fortunately, we have the Rotary Club of Darien working with us to close that gap."
Help
You Can Help
Help
You Can Help
Your Time
Help is needed on an ongoing basis to pack the food into bags and containers that are distributed to area schools. If you or your organization are interested in volunteering for a Backpack packing night please contact Joan Wayman at joan@joanwayman.com. This is a great opportunity to service hours for your own student or to involve your organization is a service project that has a significant local and global impact.
Your Financial Assistance
We are in need of additional funding to continue operations. More importantly funding is needed to expand the program to cover all at risk children in our service area. You can help by attending our Virtual Taste of Route 66 event June 13-20.
If you are not able to participate in our event this year, then please consider making a direct donation.
Donate Directly Through Paypal Donations
Rotary
What is Rotary
Rotary
What is Rotary
We are 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world.
Our differing occupations, cultures, and countries give us a unique perspective. Our shared passion for service helps us accomplish the remarkable.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
Our distinct point of view and approach gives us unique advantages:
- We see differently: Our multidisciplinary perspective helps us see challenges in unique ways.
- We think differently: We apply leadership and expertise to social issues—and find unique solutions.
- We act responsibly: Our passion and perseverance create lasting change.
- We make a difference at home and around the world: Our members can be found in your community and across the globe.
HOW DO WE WORK?
Our impact starts with our members—people who work tirelessly with their clubs to solve some of our communities' toughest challenges. Their efforts are supported by Rotary International, our member association, and The Rotary Foundation, which turns generous donations into grants that fund the work of our members and partners around the world. Rotary is led by our members—responsible leaders who help to carry forward our organization's mission and values in their elected roles.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
We've been making history and bringing our world closer together for over 100 years. Since forming in 1905, we've taken on some of the world's toughest challenges and helped a wide range of international and service organizations—from the UN to Easter Seals—get started.
HOW DO WE USE OUR FUNDS?
Responsible leadership means more than just doing good work—it means making the most out of every donation we receive.
See how we maximize our impact
WHAT CAUSES DO WE SUPPORT?
We have identified specific causes to target to maximize our local and global impact. At the same time, we understand that each community has its own unique needs and concerns. Through our network of resources and partners, we help clubs focus their service efforts in promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies.