Not Hungry, Happy

BY HOLLY DODGE

PHOTOS BY MICHELLE ISEBRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

“It makes me feel less scared. Like when I’m hungry, I have something I can eat. When we don’t have enough money, I know I have my BackPack food. That makes me very, very happy,” says a young recipient of the BackPack Food Program.

Hunger has many faces and “the struggle” is real for many. No two stories or circumstances are the same. It is Feeding Our Communities Partners’ (FOCP) commitment to serve with dignity and to reduce and eliminate the stigma attached to food insecurity. A hand up for one, or a thousand, benefits our entire community.

FOCP began in 2010 when a group of community members gathered to address the alarmingly high levels of youth food insecurity in our local region. The numbers were distressing and action to feed students without access to food outside of school hours was necessary on a local level. Powered by the community, the BackPack

Photo Credit: MW Creative Co.

Food Program launched as a huge endeavor in a meager place–a dining room with a table full of child-friendly, nutritious meals, and snacks.

The food discreetly traveled from that dining room into the lockers and backpacks of 36 Franklin Elementary students each week during the school year, leaving no barrier to food access. The child-friendly and nutritious meals were provided at no cost to those enrolled and were intended to support students on weekends and school breaks when access to free and reduced school breakfast and lunch were not available.

Through community partnerships, volunteers and donors, the dining room table that was initially used was much too small to prepare the food packs that were eagerly awaited by a growing number of enrolled elementary students. More and more elementary schools and students enrolled and the food packs kept piling up. FOCP’s efforts were 

 moved into larger spaces to meet the growing need. Eventually, the efforts required a small staff, a nutrition committee, a dedicated distribution team, an army of dedicated volunteers and community financial support.

By 2014, the BackPack Food Program had outgrown its small beginning and was serving eight elementary schools in the Mankato Area Public School District. With the assistance of many area partners, FOCP moved into a double warehouse suite at 2120 Howard Drive West in North Mankato. Since 2014, the program offerings and service area has continued to grow exponentially year after year.

FOCP continues to meet the diverse needs of developing elementary, middle, and high school students in 30 school buildings in five area school districts. With community support, FOCP’s small staff of seven even expanded their services to year-round services including pivotal nutrition to youth during summer months when food access can be even more limited. Since the organization’s inception, over 2.25 million meals have been distributed to youth in the greater Mankato area.

What makes FOCP so unique is that it is 100% locally funded and supported. Every dollar goes right back into supporting neighborhood youth in our local communities. It’s more than just food. The impact of hunger and food insecurity on children is particularly profound at every age. Food insecurity has a negative impact on the physical, mental and psychosocial development of children. Malnourishment negatively affects the cognitive development of children, resulting in a loss of knowledge, brainpower and productivity.

Food security data shows that households with children tend to be the most food insecure. Securing long-term stability, security, health and well-being is at the center of the struggle that parents and caregivers face.

A parent recently shared with FOCP: “We struggle to keep enough food in the house for everyone. I feed my child before me. She needs the food way more than me. I work full-time, but it just isn’t

enough to cover bills and food. Somehow, we make too much money for other food support programs. Struggles are real. This program has saved us big time. And to have this program in the summer is amazing since I am laid off in the summertime. Thank you, thank you for the extra support.”

Recently, in 2022, FOCP served a record number of youths for the extended winter break distribution. Over 850 area students received a large box full of shelf-stable foods as well as refrigerated and frozen foods, bread, vouchers for milk and fresh fruit, and books for youth in grades K-6. These deliveries were made by over 80 community volunteers delivering the boxes directly to families’ doorsteps. These efforts are momentous because the holiday season should be a time of joy and gathering and families should not spend the break worried about where and when their next meal will come from.

More important than the high numbers and scope of the services though, is the impact of these services. Last school year, teachers surveyed reported a difference in the quality of life for students enrolled in FOCP programs. The top three improvements observed were increased energy levels, improved emotional health and enhanced ability to concentrate. Additionally, teachers reported an improvement in school attendance.

By providing food as the basic fuel necessary for performance in school, activities and life, it is the hope that the dreams of today's youth become the reality of their future, regardless of current circumstance. After more than a decade, FOCP continues to lead a community collective in the mission to solve youth hunger. Our communities are continuously changing, and it takes the commitment and support of partners, volunteers and donors to ensure that. Annually, FOCP initiatives are supported by over 2,000 volunteers, over 400 partners, and countless donors. These efforts are not only filling plates, they are filling hearts.

One local student shared: “The BackPack Food Program makes me feel like there are people that really care about me.”

• BackPack Food Program: Serving K-5 students food on weekends and extended school breaks

• Power Pack Program: Serving 6-8 grade students school snacks as well as food for weekends and extended school breaks

• Summer Pack Program: Providing weekend food monthly during the summer to K-12 youth

• STOMP (Summertime Outreach Meal Program): Serving weekday lunches to youth 18 and under during the summer months in area food deserts

• High School Pantry: Serving students in grades 9-12 via in-school pantries or grab-&-go bags

• Districts Served: Nicollet, Mankato, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, St. Clair, Maple River

To learn more, volunteer, donate, or enroll your student, visit feedingourcommunitiespartners.org