JLC Learns About the Snack Pack Program

Contributed by Carol Caulk, Active Member

Junior League of Columbia had a strong turnout at McGregor Presbyterian Church in Irmo for Thursday night's February Split Meeting, despite the dreary weather.

Stuart Stout of the St. Andrews Optimist Club and Diane Parham, Chair of the Missions Committee, at McGregor Presbyterian Church shared the story and background of their Snack Program.

The children who benefit from the Snack Program have been identified through teachers, guidance counselors andschool social workers as not getting enough to eat over the weekends, which affects their health and ability to learn. Many are homeless; others are from families that have lost jobs and are in need of help. Sadly, the numbers continue to increase.

Over a year and a half ago, the Optimist Club and McGregor Church decided to join forces and began assembling snack packs for 50 children.  

The Optimist Club currently meets at McGregor Presbyterian Church every Sunday evening and packs 190 snack packs a week during the school year at a cost of over one thousand dollars ($1,000) a week, ensuring that at least 190 children will not go hungry over a weekend.

During longer breaks from school the group will assemble larger snack packs.  The summer break snack packs cost an average of $40.00 a box and are to last a family five weeks until they can return and get a second box to last another five weeks until the children return to school.

“Prior to the Snack Pack program there were a larger number of children reporting to the school nurses on Monday mornings stating they were ill when in reality they were hungry. This number has dropped significantly,” said Stuart Stout.

The Optimist and McGregor members do not know the faces of the children they are serving through the Snack Program.  Only the teachers know the identities of the children.  One teacher said she had to choke back tears at the unbridled joy and gratefulness of a child receiving this tiny bag of food to take home for the weekend so they would not be hungry.

The St. Andrews Optimist Club and McGregor Presbyterian Church welcome any help you would like to offer whether it be cash, in-kind donations of snack pack items or just your time to help assemble snack bags.  For more information please contact stwartstout@att.net .

Below is a list of some of the items included in the snack packs:

Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Bars or other granola bars
Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats - individually packaged squares

Single-serving cereal boxes (Variety pack)

Fruit snack packets (gummy/chewy type, preferably made with fruit juice)

Instant oatmeal packets

Instant grits packets

Slim Jims

Applesauce cups or mixed fruit cups (peel-off plastic or pop-top lids)

Mandarin oranges (small or 4-oz cups or pop-top cans)

Lance crackers - any variety (not cookies)

Chef Boyardee Ravioli - pop-top 7-oz cans or 15-oz cans

Chef Boyardee Spaghetti & Meatballs - pop-top 7-oz cans or 15-oz cans

Microwaveable macaroni and cheese cups