The Buddy Pack program provides a pack of food each to five Moniteau County schools - elementary schools of California, Clarksburg, Latham and Tipton, as well as California Middle School.
The schools then distribute the food in backpacks to individual students who may need nutritious food to see them through a weekend or holiday.
According to Darren White, western regional coordinator of the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, a gift of $180 will pay for one student's buddy packs for an entire school year.
All funds donated to the Moniteau County program serve local students.
The packs are assembled once a month at the Cargill Cares Food Pantry by volunteers from church, youth and civic groups.
The packs are then distributed weekly throughout the schools.
The food bank makes certain that items sent home with children do not require a can opener and are of reasonable size.
Youth are encouraged to volunteer for the work of assembling the packs, which include protein, fruit, shelf-friendly milk, grains and soup, to help supplement children's meals throughout weekends or holidays.
"We try to encourage children to help children," said Barb Mannering, local pantry spokesman.
For information or to volunteer at the local pantry, contact Mannering at 573-291-4405 or the Cargill Cares Food Pantry at 573-796-6262.
To donate to the Buddy Pack program, or for more information about the regional pantry, call Darren White at 573-474-1020.
Link: