Seward Rotary Club is supporting the local Backpack Food Program through its Grocery Grab event and heard a presentation about the program in September
Since the major recipient for the approaching Seward Rotary Club Grocery Grab fundraiser is the Seward Backpack Program, the Rotary Club invited Backpack Representative Jill Perdue of the Seward Kiwanis Club to present a program on the Seward Backpack Program. The local program is a weekend food supplement program to serve eligible local families.
Perdue said the program serves 73 families every week and the students are given their backpack of food to assist with their meals over the weekend. The program is localized and serves students at Seward Elementary, Seward Middle, Seward High, St. John Lutheran School, and Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Staplehurst.
Local volunteers work every aspect of the program, with a budget of almost $20,000 a year, the food costs over a year’s time period. The major funding for the program is the annual “Empty Bowls” luncheon, sponsored by the Seward Kiwanis, which raises over $20,000 annually.
“The Seward Backpack program is a wonderful example of people, working together to assist those that need assistance,” stated Perdue. “It is the duty of our community to make sure every child has enough food, and this program is a great way to make sure they do have enough food, until they return the next school day. The Seward Rotary Club’s Grocery Grab fundraiser raffle is a perfect example of so many Rotarians working together to raise funds for food stuffs for the backpacks and we thank the Rotary for their kind investment.”
She noted that the program continues through the summer, with responsibility passed to the Seward “Helping Hands” Kiwanis Club. They personally deliver the backpacks to the student’s homes or a specific pick-up location. The backpacks are filled by local Kiwanis volunteers and friends at the Seward Friedan’s United Church of Christ.
Those who wish to make a donation to the program are asked to contact Jill Perdue at the Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home or any member of the Seward Kiwanis Club. All funds are designated to assist in guaranteeing that no student ever is in need for food.