Backpack Program Feeds Kids Over the Weekend
By: Brittney Johnson
Updated: September 5, 2009
Taiesha Lewis says the way to her son Al-Valon's mind, is through his stomach.
Taiesha Lewis said, "Full stomachs equal full heads, that's all i can really say."
But times are tough for the mother of five. Her son is one of 60,000 in Northeast Louisiana who get free lunch. Now he's one of 300 getting some extra help on the weekends. This year Lincoln Elementary will take part in a backpack program sponsored by the food bank of Northeast Louisiana.
Every Friday, 100 kids from Lincoln Elementary will take home enough food for the weekend, many of them live right across the street. The food bank buys kid friendly meals, volunteers pack the bags, and teachers give the backpacks to students who are in need.
Stacey Guidry is the coordinator. She says they started the program after teachers and administrators noticed some students weren't getting enough to eat over the weekends.
Stacey Guidry said, "A lot of these kids will come in early Monday morning rushing the food line or asking other kids for their food, being extremely tired. These are all signs maybe they didn't have any food for the weekend."
They serve 300 kids from four schools in Ouachita Parish. But Guidry says the demand is still much greater than the food bank can supply.
Guidry said, "If we have 37,000 children on free lunch then we can say a large percentage of them can benefit from the program also."
Janet Davis is the principal of Lincoln Elementary. She says this program will help students like Al-Valon stay full and focused on their education.
Janet Davis said, "This is going to be a win win scenario for our students, our parents and the faculty and staff."
For this, Lewis says she's grateful.
"For helping my family throughout the entire year, thank you Lincoln Elementary,"said Lewis.
Taiesha Lewis said, "Full stomachs equal full heads, that's all i can really say."
But times are tough for the mother of five. Her son is one of 60,000 in Northeast Louisiana who get free lunch. Now he's one of 300 getting some extra help on the weekends. This year Lincoln Elementary will take part in a backpack program sponsored by the food bank of Northeast Louisiana.
Every Friday, 100 kids from Lincoln Elementary will take home enough food for the weekend, many of them live right across the street. The food bank buys kid friendly meals, volunteers pack the bags, and teachers give the backpacks to students who are in need.
Stacey Guidry is the coordinator. She says they started the program after teachers and administrators noticed some students weren't getting enough to eat over the weekends.
Stacey Guidry said, "A lot of these kids will come in early Monday morning rushing the food line or asking other kids for their food, being extremely tired. These are all signs maybe they didn't have any food for the weekend."
They serve 300 kids from four schools in Ouachita Parish. But Guidry says the demand is still much greater than the food bank can supply.
Guidry said, "If we have 37,000 children on free lunch then we can say a large percentage of them can benefit from the program also."
Janet Davis is the principal of Lincoln Elementary. She says this program will help students like Al-Valon stay full and focused on their education.
Janet Davis said, "This is going to be a win win scenario for our students, our parents and the faculty and staff."
For this, Lewis says she's grateful.
"For helping my family throughout the entire year, thank you Lincoln Elementary,"said Lewis.
