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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Backpack Program


How How,

I connected with Mr. Caprice Brown over at the food bank. One of the Y-Guides sponsored programs is the Food Bank BackPack Program. I think we have enough wampum to cover the costs.

The BackPack program is intended to meet the nutritional needs of children during non-school hours, specifically weekends. It targets children who would benefit from nutritious meals. The BackPack Program is an additional component of the Food Bank’s mission of ending hunger in our 34-county service area.

Through the program, once each week kids will be given special backpacks that are filled with non-perishable food that can be used to meet their weekend nutritional needs. A typical pack, depending upon the Food Bank’s inventory, will contain: a protein (such as beans, tuna, soup, beef stew, peanut butter and/or soup), vegetables (such as canned spinach, string beans, etc.), canned fruits (such as peaches, pears, pineapples, etc.) and miscellaneous items, such as individual wrapped fruit juice, crackers, Multigrain bars, individual boxes of cereal, pudding cups, etc.

The six steps for a successful BackPack service project are listed below:

  1. Talk about this project with your tribe. You can read or distribute the information above. Get everyone excited about the need to help these kids.
  2. Choose a service project leader (s).
  3. Call or email John Foister at 919-865-3022 or via email at jfoister@foodbankcenc.org or J. Caprice Brown at 919-865-3037 or via email at cbrown@foodbankcenc.org to schedule an appointment. Do this soon so that you have the date on the calendar.
  4. Assign each member of the tribe to buy a quantity of the items shown below in the “Shopping List” section. Most tribes choose to assign each member the purchase of 50-100 individual items each (see below).
  5. Send an email asking Big Braves and Guides/ Princesses to go shopping together sometime before your tribe’s visit. (You do not need to shop as a tribe.)
  6. Show up at the Food Bank for your visit. It will only take an hour, generally on Saturday but other times are available.

You may be asking what types of food would be appropriate for the program. The basic answer is kid-friendly, nutritious, cost effective, nonperishable foods with limited or no preparation. A typical pack will contain:

  • A protein (such as beans, soup, beef stew, peanut butter and/or soup [please, no tuna])
  • Vegetables (such as canned spinach, string beans, etc.)
  • Canned fruits (such as peaches, pears, pineapples, etc.)
  • Miscellaneous items (such as individual wrapped fruit juice, crackers, Multigrain bars, individual boxes of cereal, pudding cups, etc.)

The most needed items are individual size:

  • Spaghetti & Meatballs / Ravioli / Beef-a-roni / Lasagna
  • Soup
  • Fruit cups
  • Cereal Boxes
  • 100% Fruit Juice large or small foil/paper cartons
  • Pop Tarts
  • Pudding Cups
  • Fruit Bars
  • Animal/Graham Crackers
  • Raisins
  • Trail Mix
  • Individually Wrapped Snacks
Let's see if we can discuss at date at the Dad's only meeting in August.

How How,

Looks like we have a mixed bag on the July 4 USA game and Aug 9 DBulls Game. Here is what I have so far. I guess we can get the new fetch-um, Red Thunder, to see about the 7/2 tickets since at least five of the eight groups can go. I also would like to have a Sunday afternoon Dad's meeting on Aug 16 to go ahead and map out schedules for, at least, the rest of 2009. Let me know if that date works for everyone. I remember that we had a hard time last year getting everyone together.



7/2 USA Bball 8/9 Dbulls Bball 8/16 Dads meeting
Adkins Yes No Yes
Fields Yes Yes
Godwin No Yes
Hager Yes Yes Yes
Hemingway Yes Yes
Dillard Yes Yes
Duerr Yes ??
Rinehart No Yes Yes

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Summer Planning for Year 2

How How,

Summer is fast upon us. Even though our official start of the 2nd year is in September, I hope we can get the group together before. Many of you mentioned a Durham Bulls game. I suggest a Sunday game. It's starts at 5PM and the kids can run the bases after the game. There are games on July 26 and Aug 2. Let me know if you have a preference and I'll work with the new fetch'um to coordinate ticket purchase (est $7 each).

I have a call into the foodbank to see if we can have the boys work on a volunteer project where they would provide backpacks of food to underprivledged kids. More to come on that.

Also think about a weekend campout either Sept 12 or Sept 19. We could travel to Linville Falls (bit of a drive) or stay locally at another camp. We could work through several feathers at the campout.

Rushing Ram - Can you reply to all with the Year 2 officers? Not sure who all of them are. Thanks.

See you at the pool!

Laughing Horse and Red Wolf