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The Stark County Hunger Task Force brings meals to kids wherever they are.
From school parking lots to library desks and bookmobile stops, the Stark County Hunger Task Force’s Summer Backpack for Kids Program is making sure no child goes hungry this summer.
The nonprofit is once again partnering with local libraries to distribute easy-to-make meals to children across the community. This partnership allows backpacks to be picked up at designated schools and libraries or even delivered directly to children on bookmobiles.
“It’s really nice to have these partnerships because it allows us to reach more children and provide more access,” Stark County Hunger Task Force Executive Director Stephanie Sweany said. “We’re really trying to fill that gap in the summer when kids don’t have school meals; we can meet them where they are.”
The Hunger Task Force coordinates its Backpack for Kids initiative, serving more than 2,000 children weekly across 17 local elementary schools and several library locations. It runs year-round, including a robust summer program, distributing backpacks filled with child-friendly meals and snacks to locations across the region.
According to Feeding America, 20.5% of children in Stark County are food insecure, meaning from day-to-day, having food on the table isn’t guaranteed.
“The numbers don’t shock me, they sadden me because I haven’t seen them improve over the years,” she said. “We are chipping away at it, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
When children don’t receive proper nourishment, it affects their physical health, mental focus and ability to learn.
“When kiddos are hungry, they’re not acting their best, they’re not learning at their best, they’re not being the best they can be,” Sweany said.
Each backpack contains two breakfast, lunch and snack items. The meals are carefully selected so children can prepare them independently.
“I think anytime we can put food in the hands of kids, it’s a win, especially food that they can feel comfortable making themselves,” she said.
Kid-approved favorites like mac & cheese and ramen noodles are always a hit.
This program provides consistency during the summer, a season where children may be unsure of where their next meal is coming from. However, because of the Stark County Hunger Task Force, they can depend on backpacks filled with child-approved foods. These meals are intended to cover the gap over the weekends.
In the early years of the program, around 600 backpacks were distributed weekly through library partnerships. This summer, that number is expected to climb to 1,500 backpacks a week –– a reflection of both the initiative’s steady growth and the community’s rising need.
The Stark County Hunger Task Force is optimistic that it can continue to expand the program in future years to help even more children.
“So many families are working really, really hard, and it’s still not enough,” Sweany said. “If we can take even one worry off their plate, I would consider that a great achievement.”
To learn more about the Stark County Hunger Task Force or find a list of backpack distribution locations, visit www.starkhunger.org.
The Stark Community Foundation helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals. Learn more at: www.starkcf.org.
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