Snack Pack Blessings program expands

The Snack Pack Blessings program plans to expand to include Northside Elementary School, located at 3620 High Road in Middleton, this month.
     “This is a wonderful opportunity for our parish to continue its outreach into the community,” said Fr. Brian. “And reach out to the youngest of those who need help.”
     The program, which was started at the parish last year, began by providing food to students at Elm Lawn Elementary School for their weekend meals.
     Any student can apply for the program, said Georgine Jacobs, the Snack Pack Blessings coordinator. “Just because they don’t qualify (for the federal school lunch program) doesn’t mean that they don’t need help.”
     Eight teams of about five volunteers shop for the needed food items, pick up donations during the week, pack the meals and deliver them to the schools on Fridays.
     Before they leave school, the children who have signed up for the program pick up their snack pack, which includes enough breakfast, lunch and dinner foods to get them through the weekend.
     St. Bernard accepts monetary donations from its parishioners for the program that only operates during the school year.
     A meeting will be held from 10 a.m., to noon on Oct. 1 (today) in the lower level of the Religious Education Center for all who are interested in volunteering for this program.