Dave and Nancy Jennings were the founders of “KidsFoodPak” in Sweet Home. We asked them a few questions about what motivated them to begin this program and what they see in the future for “KidsFoodPak”.
What got you interested in starting a food program for kids?
For about a year we had been feeling like God was calling us to get involved within our community, but we weren’t sure what that looked like. While we were waiting and searching for a program that we could get involved in, we heard about a backpack program on KLOVE and we were intrigued. Then we saw similar programs on "60 Minutes" and "The Biggest Loser." We decided to check out our own community for something similar, but learned that there was nothing of the sort. That’s when we began taking the steps to create a backpack program for our community.
Do either of you relate to kids that don't get enough to eat?
I think we both can relate to being a kid and not getting enough to eat, but in completely different aspects…Dave: I grew up in an ordinary conventional home where we sat at the table every night as a family and ate dinner, but money was scarce. So even though we had food and meals every day, food was not abundant in our home. Nancy: I grew up in a very dysfunctional single-parent home with a younger brother and sister and on several occasions was left on my own to care for them. We had to “fend for ourselves” a lot of times. So whether or not we had food was always a question for my siblings and me.
What has surprised you about the things you have discovered about hungry kids in the Sweet Home area?
We knew that there was a need for this program in our community, but as we started to research this need we were astonished at how big the need actually was.
What response have you received from people and organizations in the area?
With the good comes the bad also, so to say that the response has been all positive would just simply not be the truth. Although for the most part, the response has been overwhelmingly positive in the forms of words of encouragement, food donations, financial support and the great people who have offered their time volunteering at this program.
What do you think will happen in the next year with KidsFoodPak?
It’s hard to say what the next year will bring, but our goal is that every child that needs a backpack would receive one. Hopefully in 2011 we will be able to start a summer program to ensure these kids are being fed year round.
Who else is involved with you in the day-to-day operation of KidsFoodPak?
Right now we have about 10 volunteers that help in many different ways, from filling backpacks to delivering them, to shopping for food and picking up food at our several drop sites. Along with that we have school counselors and teachers who support the program. We also have several churches who offer food donations, food drop locations and financial support.
What are your most pressing needs at the moment?
Honestly there is not one certain need that is pressing momentarily. The needs are always ongoing and constant. Our needs consist of overall support whether it is encouragement, food donations, financial support, or volunteers. We are always in need of something.
What Others Say... |
How has being involved with KidsFoodPak affected you both personally?
It’s like being on an emotional rollercoaster. Always up and down. You get on an emotional high when you get to send out 5 more backpacks that week, or somebody sends you some sort of support. It’s an amazing feeling knowing that you are involved in something really great. But, with the good, happy, encouraging moments comes the also really sad, discouraging moments. When you hear about a second grader who receives a backpack every week and is the oldest of 6 children...knowing that she takes her backpack home and shares it with her siblings is heartbreaking. It has opened our hearts to be compassionate. It really means something now when we hear the statistics of 1 in 5 kids are going hungry. This is no longer a statistic to us, it means something, it’s happening in our community right NOW!
Any suggestions to someone who wants to start a similar program?
Pray about it and make sure you are ready for the commitment, because the commitment part is huge. Also get support from your local schools. Without support from the schools this program would be impossible.