The East Lansing Rotary Foundation will be hosting a Mud and Suds fundraiser on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 to benefit the Weekend Survival Kits program which provides food for hungry elementary school children across Ingham County. The “Mud and Suds fundraiser will be held at East Lansing’s Scene Metrospace (110 Charles St.) from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm and feature a special pottery demonstration by Jon Whitney, craft beers and savory hors de oeuvres. Pottery created by local artists will also be displayed and for sale at the event. Tickets are $50 per person and are available for purchase online at www.manyhandsmi.org

Started to Meet a Real Need

The Weekend Survival Kits (WSK) program was started five years ago to help meet the nutritional needs of mid-Michigan’s elementary school students, specifically on the weekends. The WSK program is focused on helping feed children – especially those who receive a free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch at school – by providing them with a “food pack” filled with nutritional food every other Friday during the school year. Food for the kits is acquired through the Greater Lansing Food Bank’s network, which means that $1 has the power to buy an equivalent of $10 of food at retail value. Each food “kit” costs about $5, and $100 sponsors one child for an entire school year. Last year (2013-14) the WSK program served over 1,800 elementary school children in Ingham County.

Program is Growing

As might be expected, the WSK program continues to grow as more families and schools learn about and join the program. As the program grows and the number of students served increases, the need for food, funds and volunteers increases as well. More information about the Weekend Survival Kits program and how you can help can be found at www.manyhandsmi.org or www.facebook.com/manyhandsmi. Contributions are always welcome and can be mailed directly to: Many Hands Foundation, 1288 W. Grand River Ave., Suite 400, Williamston, MI 48895. Many Hands in a 501 © 3, non-profit organization and serves as the fiduciary agent for the Weekend survival Kits program.