Food For Teens Project Report

 

Last summer the Homer Community Food Pantry was awarded two grants; $1,000 from the Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary Club and $3,000 from Wells Fargo Bank for the purpose of funding a pilot project to provide food for teens that were facing the challenges of homelessness, neglect and poverty in the area.  Our organization partnered with the FLEX school in order to reach the at-risk teens and through the efforts of Ingrid Harrald, a counselor at FLEX, we were able to put together a program that would support 15-18 at-risk students on a weekly basis in addition to providing ingredients for cooking programs developed by Ingrid.

 

Each week, a supply of canned goods, pasta, oatmeal and peanut butter is delivered to the FLEX School  in bulk and distributed to any student in need.  Several of the students have taken on the task of filling back packs, which were provided by the Homer Emblem Club, with the donated food and placing them in a bin by the door, accessible to any student.  The back packs are returned weekly and re-filled.  In addition to the non-perishables, the Food Pantry and various farmers at the Farmer’s Market, when operational, provide fresh fruit, vegetables, bagels and bread to FLEX to support Ingrid’s cooking programs on a weekly basis. 

 

The backpacks contain several cans; Chili, stew, soup, fruit, some oatmeal, ramen noodles, crackers and peanut butter as well as a “one pot meal” recipe including the canned goods and spices needed.  Some of Ingrid’s cooking programs included making kale chips with all the fresh grown kale from the Farmer’s Market; Crockpot Tuesday featuring homemade vegetable soup and Chili.  Teaching the kids to cook is a vital part to this project and we are fortunate to have a partner in Ingrid at the school.

 

The canned goods provided to the school are purchased by the Food Pantry, produce and bread are donated by the local grocers each Monday.  To date, the Food Pantry has spent $951 on this project that began in late September. 

 

In December, I met with Poppy Benson and her high school age Girl Scout Troop to discuss the project and ways the girls could participate.  It was determined at that meeting that there are approximately 30 at-risk teens at the High School.  The Troop was very interested in expanding the project to the high school and is planning a back pack drive and a food drive.  The Food Pantry will assist with additional food as needed.  It was very exciting to watch the girls collaborate and develop ideas for advertising the availability of the food-filled packs. I look forward to seeing their project take flight.

 

Over the next few months, the Food Pantry will be coordinating with the ED at the Rec Room to develop a summer program.  We envision a similar process of delivering food in bulk to the Rec Room for distribution and will collaborate on ways to advertise its availability.

 

The Homer Community Food Pantry serves the greater Homer/Kachemak area from Anchor Point to the villages out East and across the bay.  The Pantry statistics show over 1,680 households were served in 2017.  Children and teens are generally served through their families however there is a growing number of teens that are in need and have difficulty getting assistance.  This collaboration with FLEX through key individual, Ingrid Harrald, has allowed us to reach those teens in need.  We are hopeful that the Girl Scout Troop will be successful in serving the need at the Homer High School and that the program can continue throughout the summer months.  It has been very successful to date and has provided a supplement to those kids on the edge.

 

We greatly appreciate your support and involvement.  Thank you.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Cinda Martin

Homer Community Food Pantry Secretary

Chairman, Food for Teens