by Bruce Karnick

The United Way of Hastings is in the middle of their Stuff the Bus campaign to raise money for their Food 4 Kids program. Food 4 Kids helps feed school age kids on the weekends where they do not have enough to eat. United Way of Hastings (UWH) researched the need locally and through discussions with school representatives and social workers determined that some Hastings schoolchildren eligible for free/reduced lunches were coming to school hungry on Monday mornings. Students were feeling ill, having difficulty concentrating, and unable to focus in the classroom. A little history of the program. In the fall of 2015, UWH conducted a pilot program serving a total of 40 children from October – February (22 weekends). Social workers, and school family support personnel identified and registered the students in the program. Discretion and confidentiality were assured as students received bags of food in their backpacks for themselves and any siblings in the home. UWH provided initial funding of $2,000 to purchase food and supplies and cover administrative costs. During the post-pilot evaluation phase, it was determined there was enough of a need in the school district to officially launch the program (rebranded as Food 4 Kids) for the 2016-17 school year. Food 4 Kid deliveries were made each week to the Hastings Middle School, Kennedy, McAuliffe, and Pinecrest. The 2017/18 school year began with distribution of 70 weekend meals per week and grew to 136 by the end of the school year.

The 2018/19 school year averaged 140 bags distributed each we and the program expanded to cover Early Childhood Education / Preschool Students. Summer 2019 – Program continued distribution in the summer with the SPARK program.

2019-20 – Program expanded to include the Hastings High School and a total of 4,366 Food 4 Kids weekend meals were distributed. It is unclear how the current hybrid learning plans will affect the need for additional food. Many kids during the school year rely on the lunch they have at school for their main meal of the day. To learn more and to donate, visit https:// www.unitedwayofhastings. org/food- 4kids.html