We received a thank you note from a kindergarten teacher at Emerson Elementary. 
We received a thank you note from a kindergarten teacher at Emerson Elementary.
Sponsors, Partners, Supporters, and Volunteers
I wanted to update you on the PCS/ Snack Pak relationship. As of Monday May 14th, Phyllis Cook has resigned from PCS as the executive director. Unfortunately Michelle and Maggie have been laid off by the PCS board and no longer have a formal role with the program. My hope is they will continue to volunteer with our program, but ultimately they will need to do what is best for them and their family. I am deeply saddened and surprised by this news and know they were a great resource for our program. The staff responsible for processing the donations and finances were not affected by these changes.
So what does this mean for Snack Pak 4 Kids? When we started this partnership 19 months ago our total focus was to feed kids. That focus has not changed. In fact without this partnership we would not be able to feed 2700 kids in 9 school districts with many more planned for next Fall. What has changed is the ability for PCS to provide the staff and support for daily operations of the program for the near future. What are our plans to deal with this change?
First, we are preparing to pack and prep bags on May 22nd so we can finish the year. We will need help delivering totes to the schools on May 23rd and May 30th. We are also making plans to implement 2 or 3 pilot summer feeding programs after school is out. We will need assistance with this effort also. Our primary focus has not changed, we are feeding kids. 100% of all money that has been donated will continue to buy food only. I will pay all the expenses out of my pocket that are not food related until we can get this partnership issue resolved. I met with the Amarillo Area Foundation three weeks ago and they have suggested other 501c3 organizations we may want to consider as a partner if the PCS partnership is unable to continue.
I am sure this has created more questions than answers and I am available by phone or email to address any of your concerns or ideas. The last thing we would want is the kids to go without because of unanswered questions or concerns. We have made too much progress ending weekend hunger in the Texas Panhandle to let this stop our progress.
Since we launched our website in October we have published our financials monthly for everyone to see. Click on our April financials to see our latest information.
Thank you
Dyron Howell, Founder Snack Pak 4 Kids
806-342-6190 or dyron@snackpak4kids.org
A thank note from a child at Emerson Elementary for their Snack Pak. Humbling and encouraging we are making a difference.
Imagine a child looking across the street and all they want to do is eat at the neighbor’s table. This is how an elementary student in Amarillo answered the question, “What does hunger Feel Like?”
WHAT DOES HUNGER FEEL LIKE? Read essay written by a 5th grader in AISD how he feels:
The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others-Mahtma Gandhi. Can you imagine over 200 people from different backgrounds coming together for one cause to end weekend hunger in our schools. In a country where we are divided on many topics and beliefs, it is humbling to see all of those things disappear for one hour at our warehouse. Every other Tuesday we have churches, youth groups, businesses, retired seniors, stay at home moms, pharmacist, doctors, teachers, girl scouts, nurses, and every other group you can imagine helping us assemble over 3500 Snack Paks. Without this support we would not serve over 2150 kids in AISD. What you don’t see if you come to our warehouse is the 8 churches in Amarillo and Bushland that do the same thing at their church to support the schools they sponsor. Without R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) none of this would happen. They organize all the volunteers and prep for the massive effort every other week. Thank you LaRue, Rick, and Gloria at RSVP for all your help.
Jan 1, 2011 2 schools and 100 kids were on the program. We now have almost 2000 kids in 8 school districts (Canyon, Amarillo, Hereford, Bushland, Fritch, Walcott, Tulia, and River Road). THANK YOU to all the donors, sponsors, churches, volunteers, school staff, and community coordinators who are making weekend hunger a thing of the past in our communities. Our goal is by 2015 every community in the Texas Panhandle has a weekend backpack program for their children.
Giving up your ski trip to feed hungry kids. Thank you St Paul Youth (SPY) for donating $1400 from your annual Thanksgiving fundraiser to feed 11 kids at Forest Hill Elementary. The youth group chose to cancel their annual ski trip and give the money to Snack Pak. What an example of unselfish giving by the youth. We are blessed to have young people leading by example.
I have tried to write this post for over an hour and just can’t describe the need in our community any better than the enclosed letters from schools with children who are on our waiting list. We still have over 350 kids on our waiting list at 5 schools in Amarillo. Coronado, Wolflin, Tradewind, Sanborn, and Oakdale Elementary need this program. If your church, business, civic group, family, or organization is looking for a place to help children in our community this is a great place to help. 100% of your donation is used to buy food. We can feed a child for the entire school year for $133 or $11/month. Thank you for helping us end weekend hunger in our schools. Click on the highlighted schools to read their letters.
I just wanted to share some interesting data that our nurse has collected. We counted the number of students who were sent to the nurses' office on Monday morning for a stomach ache or a head ache from the beginning of school until the 1st week of November last year and this year. This year, we have seen 25 less students than we did last year. It is interesting to me that our total enrollment is also up by 40 students. The Snack Pak bags are helping students stay in the classroom and out of the nurses office. We know that the more opportunity they have to learn, the better the opportunity to graduate and become productive citizens. Thank you for all you do!
Terri
Principal
Will Rogers Elementary