The difference between dinner and toast
United Way seeking volunteers to deliver Buddy Bags to 300 children
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Some children will remember bright red bags filled with food for the weekend. They all will remember the difference between having dinner on Saturday night instead of a piece of toast. These children will remember Buddy Bags.
The program delivers 300 bags of food to elementary school children each week. That’s seven food items per child over 18 weeks; four tons a food a month. The United Way Serving Howard and Tipton Counties has provided the service for several years with the assistance of the Boy Scouts of America Sagamore Council and Food Finders Food Bank, and it is looking for volunteers to help.
According to Dr. Lorelei Walker, Senior Director of Community Resilience, assistance is needed to get the Buddy Bags into children’s hands. And all it takes is one hour of service from a local business or organization.
“Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, or a combination of both, a team of 10 is all we need,” said Walker. “This is a meaningful opportunity to showcase your company's commitment to community resilience.
“You will be part of a powerful initiative that directly impacts families in need. And you’ll foster a sense of camaraderie among your staff by working together for a great cause. Best of all, volunteering will strengthen your ties with the local community and show that your company cares.”
Team members from Chariot Auto Group and Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union recently assisted with the January delivery cycle. In just one hour, these businesses made an entire month a little brighter for children and families across the community.
The people in the community who will care the most about those volunteer hours are the families directly affected. April Hale is a resilience volunteer with United Way, and her family was one of hundreds that benefitted from Buddy Bags. That food made all the difference, she explained.
“While my three children are grown, we have been a part of the Buddy Bags program at one or more points in our lives,” said Hale. “Even working full-time as a single mother, after the rent, utilities, car, and insurance got paid, there was close to nothing left. I hadn’t even gone grocery shopping yet.
“Add to this, one or more kids getting ill, so then I had doctor costs and medication. I needed gas to make it to and from work. At least one kid was always outgrowing something, so I needed to buy pants, shirts, or shoes, sometimes all three. It never stopped. Having the buddy bag sometimes made the difference between having the nutrition in that bag or a piece of plain toast.”
The Buddy Bags program is well underway in 2024, with delivery dates scheduled for the spring semester. Volunteers will have the opportunity to deliver bags on Feb. 15, March 14, and Apr. 11. The deliveries take place between 11 a.m. and noon in order to accommodate business schedules.
To volunteer, fill out the registration form at https://forms.gle/3jjKFwRR6TpAdF4J9
Volunteers with a van or small covered trailer are encouraged to join the Buddy Bags weekly pack and delivery team. Visit the Boy Scouts Sagamore Council's website: https://scoutingevent.com/162-2024_BuddyBags
“Buddy Bags make a significant impact on the lives of our community’s families,” said Hale. “Buddy Bags are a booster in helping our community’s families stay afloat. Let’s keep our kids healthy and able to learn. It takes a village to raise a family. Be part of the village for our community kids. Remember, many hands make light work. Let's make a difference together!”