You may be asking, what is Food 2 Kids?
First, understand that Athens-Clarke County faces substantial poverty issues and has one of the highest poverty rates in the state of Georgia. Five of the 13 elementary schools have more than 90% of their students eligible for free or reduced meals.
Athens Food 2 Kids provides free sacks of food to Clarke, Oconee and Barrow County school children who are at risk of going hungry over the weekend. While the public schools offer breakfast and lunch to children during the week , many of these children do not have a reliable source of food over the weekend.
The Junior League of Athens and the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia joined together to launch Athens Food 2 Kids in January 2008. By the end of the school year, F2K was delivering about 86 food sacks a week, which include more than 500 meals, to Clarke County school children.
Once school officials - teachers, nurses and social workers - identify children suspected of not getting enough to eat over the weekend, they make a referral to Food 2 Kids. Then, with the parents' permission, a free sack of food is delivered to the child at his or her school every week. Each sack holds about 6 meals of Kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare food. (i.e. Peanut Butter, Pop Top Ravioli, Applesauce, Fruit Cups, etc.)
Every single penny raised through sponsorship and donations goes towards buying food and getting it in the hands of needy children. Each sack of food costs about $6.00 a week or roughly $250 per child for the entire school year.
As of 2010, The Junior League of Athens and the Foodbank of Northeast Georgia helped feed 220 in-need children. However, there are more than 9000 children on a free or reduced lunch program in this area. There is so much work to do and many donations and sponsorships to make.
If you are interested in donating, volunteering your time or just want more information please contact me at acfellers@gmail.com.
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