Program to feed kids more feasible

A local veterans’ organization is taking on a project that would make sure kids who might otherwise not be fed much on the weekends go home Friday with a supply of food.

Three American Legion Post 157 members addressed a luncheon of the chamber of commerce recently to outline the program.

Jim Brakebill, Ben Alling and Shawn Neider said a new connection with a hunger-fighting organization had made the effort more feasible.

A package program from Second Harvest would allow the group to send home a package for $144 per year, per child.

The “FOOD2GO” program will target children at Lake Roosevelt Elementary, of which 225 were qualified for free or reduced lunches at school last December.

“Can’t they eat at home?” asked Lowell Hensley. “I ate at home when I was a kid.”

Brakebill said some kids don’t get fed at home because their parents can’t afford it. Others noted that some family circumstances include abuse problems that keep kids from getting the right nutrition, through no fault of their own.

The group has put up flyers and is seeking donations. An account is set up to make it easy to donate at Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union.

The program will start next September. Brakebill noted that there is a separate summer food program at the schools.

The group will have no contact with the children. Food bags would be distributed by school district personnel.

If 50 students were funded, it would cost the program $600 a month, 12 months a year through the Second Harvest program.

But they will offer the program to as many children as they can raise funds to feed.

Anyone with questions on the program can call 631-1839.