The East Lansing Rotary Club is proud to be a supporter of the Weekend Survival Kits program. Now in its’ fifth year of operation, the Weekend Survival Kits program helps feed needy children in our area (most of whom receive free, or reduced-price meals at school) by providing them with a two-gallon bag filled with nutritional food every other Friday during the school year. A typical Weekend Survival Kit includes: pre-portioned crackers, soup, 100% fruit juice, pudding cups, mac and cheese, canned vegetables, pasta with protein, peanut butter, granola bars, fruit cups in plastic containers, single serve cereal boxes, fruit chews and oatmeal packets. Each “kit” is packed with enough food for up to 7 meals and 2 snacks to help feed a hungry child.
Participating Schools in Weekend Survival Kits Program
Last year (2013-14 school year), 26 different schools in nine different school districts, plus two other locations (Edgewood Village Network Center and the Parkwood YMCA) participated in the program. Overall 1,883 students were served by the WSK program, up from 1,181 the previous year and nearly 400 more students than the 1,500 student goal set for the 2013-14 school year.
Our goal this year is to reach 2,500 students. Currently, 11 school districts and 33 schools are participating, including: Dansville, Haslett, Holt (Hope), Okemos (Central, Hiawatha, Bennett, Cornell), Lansing (Attwood, Post Oak, REO, Riddle, Willow, North, Gardner, Gier Park), Ingham ISD (Heartwood), DeWitt (Herbison Woods, Schavey Road, Scott), Mason (Alaiedon, Steele, North Aurelius), Waverly, East Lansing (Donley, Pinecrest, Glencairn, Marble) and Williamston (Discovery, Middle School, High School, Explorer, Lil’ Hornets). Other participants include the after-school tutoring program at the Edgewood Village Network Center and the Parkwood YMCA Summer Program.
Community Partners also Supporting Weekend Survival Kits
Started by the Haslett-Okemos Rotary Club, the Weekend Survival Kits program continues to grow. Community partners currently include: Rotary Clubs in East Lansing, Haslett-Okemos and Delta-Waverly; Kiwanis Clubs in East Lansing, Okemos and Williamston; Mason Optimist Club; Jackson National Life, Kohl’s, East Lansing Masonic Lodge #480; Okemos Community Church; St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Haslett, the Joe D. Pentecost Foundation, and the R.E. Olds Foundation.
In 2013, the Many Hands Foundation became the fiduciary agent for the Weekend Survival Kits program and now coordinates the program’s food ordering, packing sessions and food kit deliveries.
Help close the food insecurity gap in our communities by voting in
the U Club’s “Big Bang-Quet Community Charity Challenge.”
Cast your $5 votes for the Weekend Survival Kits program
online between February 9 and March 24 at:
www.universityclubofmsu.org/theclubwithaheart