School builds blessings in a backpack
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Kitchen assistant Christine Lopez, left, and fifth-grader Dakota West, right, prepare an assembly line of students to load bags of food for the Blessings in a Backpack program at Wileman Elementary School in Delavan.
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Wileman Elementary fifth-graders Paola Galvan, right, and Jordan Ensminger fill bags with food items for the Blessings in a Backpack program at the Delavan school.
DELAVAN — A can of Beefaroni.
A package of granola bars and two servings of oatmeal.
A juice box, a package of fruit snacks and a few containers of applesauce.
When all those items have been collected, sorted into plastic grocery bags and then tucked into backpacks, they are transformed from groceries into a weekend's worth of blessings.
Earlier this year, Wileman Elementary School in Delavan received a three-year, $50,000 grant to provide snacks for low-income children to take home every weekend.
Those blessings originated with a Pearl Jam concert at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy. At the concert, the band decided to donate money to Blessings in a Backpack, a charity the band has supported in the past.
The charity, in turn, looked for a local school to help.
It picked Wileman.
"At first, the idea was really overwhelming," said Deborah Maki, principal of Wileman.
How would they coordinate it?
Where would the food come from?
How would they let the parents know about the program while, at the same time, protecting confidential details about income?
Maki worked with her parent advisory committee to iron out the details. Together, they embraced the program.
Every two weeks, the school receives the groceries from Stinebrink's Piggly Wiggly, Delavan. The food is sold to them at a reduced rated to meet the requirements of the grant.
On Thursday afternoons, parents, staff and fifth-grade students—all volunteers—assemble the bags of food. Half of the food is saved for the next week.
On Friday, staff members tuck the bags into student backpacks.
"It's really just enough to make sure our kids can make it through the weekend," Maki said.
Wileman Elementary has 330 students. Of those, 240—or 72 percent—are eligible for free or reduced lunch. Eligibility is based on federal poverty guidelines.
Maki sent out letters in English and Spanish, letting parents know about the program. So far, 120 students are using the program.
"Next year, we're going to offer the program during the school registration," Maki said.
Maki and the parent advisory council share a simple goal: Make sure that hungry kids get fed.
Feb 24, 2012 at 6:29 a.m.
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Sarah, kids reading these blogs! Get real! And what is your source for " knowing that they are taking steps to alleviate the root cause of high levels of poverty in households in that area."
Feb 23, 2012 at 11:20 a.m.
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I think oldvet is referring to the old adage (with which I firmly agree): "Give me a fish, and I eat for today. Teach me to fish, and I eat for a lifetime." I don't doubt this fills an immediate need for children who have nowhere else to turn, but shouldn't they be addressing what is the root cause of the high level of poverty in households in that area, so that over time it might be alleviated? Society should not be expected to continue to make up these deficiences without expecting that those deficiencies be addressed by those who are supposed to be responsible: the adults in the families. (And I am not talking about short-term issues like job loss or unexpected issues like disability.)
Feb 23, 2012 at 9:53 a.m.
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Jim...:)
Feb 23, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
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Reading a feel good news story online and not expecting at least a few negative comments is like hosting a pinata party and not expecting anyone to bring sticks.
Feb 23, 2012 at 7:48 a.m.
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Unbelievable. People helping others in need, and there are comments here questioning that.
How sad.
I say HOORAH FOR WILEMAN--the educators, the students, and the community are working together to make their piece of the world a better place.
Feb 23, 2012 at 7:31 a.m.
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As long as it makes those people feel better about what they are doing and grant money (not their money) is available it's a good thing, right? I just hope it's an after school program and not done during class hours.
Feb 23, 2012 at 7:24 a.m.
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Sounds like a very interesting program.
Feb 23, 2012 at 6:48 a.m.
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Pretty soon, the "do gooders" will be taking over right after birth so the parents only responsibility will be to impregnate and deliver... Oh wait, they are going to do that too? Oh, Alright It figures.......
"They have no idea of the harm they are doing"
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