SD-2BackPackMealsProgram-NoKidHungryMontana.pptVIP

* The BackPack Program alone is not enough to curb chronic hunger, its causes and consequences. It has served as a launch pad for other interventions * * Reducing Food Insecurity in Billings SD-2 Virginia Lee Mermel, PhD, CNS BackPack Meals Teen Pantry Prog Recognizing the Issue “Improving school meals is fine, but the real nutrition problem is the number of students who don’t get dinner or weekend meals.” 2007 SD-2 Food Security Stats October 2007 DOW 14,000 Unemployment 1% 24% (~ 3700) Free or Reduced cost school meals 12% weekend hunger MT’s Hidden Hunger MT’s relatively low unemployment rate masks surprisingly high rates of poverty hunger due to low paying jobs Looked for BackPack Program Support Local emergency food entities DEALT w ADULTS ONLY! SD-2 Great Recession Hunger Stats ~ 37% of students (6100) receive F R meals More qualify but don’t participate 5100 Free Meals Billings BackPack Prog Stats ‘09 to ‘13: 520/weekend 1st yr 350 down to 245* 2nd-3rd yrs 280-340 4th yr 216-236 this yr Billings Teen Pantry Stats Fall ‘11 to ‘13: ~ 100 7th-12th graders use 6 Teen Pantries each weekend since Oct 2011 Summer Leaves Kids Hunger Challenged #1 issue: getting kids in need to feeding sites Summer 2013 Interventions Salvation Army 600 meals/wk night So No sides Summer meals to Big Sky Meadow Lark areas Church Pantries Peace Lutheran-onsite Grace Methodist-onsite St Pius stocked Tumbleweed Teen Pantry Summer 2013 Interventions Tumbleweeds Center Food, toiletries, laundry counseling Mobile Unit  Lesson: Contact Faith Based Groups Discuss Directed Specific Food Bank Sunday donations What Works Operationally? Use: Proven Practices Existing Systems/Infrastructure What Works when Fund Raising? Talk, Talk, Talk: Connect hunger to individual societal costs “Fed, Fit Ready to Learn so they grow to be adults who are ready to earn” Dropouts are at Risk of: Substance abuse Criminal activity Incarceration