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

A Warm Welcome & Thoughtful Fellowship

Contributed by Megan Thorpe, Provisional

As a provisional, I am learning that Junior League meetings come in all shapes and sizes. Last night, I was welcomed into Carol Caulk’s home, along with a dozen other League members, for a time to share the ways we hope to grow through the Junior League of Columbia. The meeting was a wonderful balance of old and new members’ voices, and their passion for the people they helped over the years through service projects was moving.

We listened to more about the history of Junior League and many questions were answered about finding the place we fit in this large, but friendly, group. An account of a child picking out their first new pair of shoes or sending a hungry family home with food through the ABCDs program warmed my heart. From the awe and humor of offbeat donations for Clean Sweep to the grandiose task of decorating for Holiday Market, I was amazed at the hours and commitment demonstrated by the women around me. I was moved to learn that the League raises around $250,000 each year that goes right back into the community.

I would be remiss if I did not mention our facilitator Katie Crosby who helped us navigate questions big and small that we wondered about as the League’s newest members. She encouraged seasoned League members to offer their best stories and advice as well. We got to know more about where each member lives and works around the city, and we were privileged to witness the soul of volunteers who encouraged us to join them in service for our hometown.

After nearly an hour of sharing one-on-one and the graceful acceptance of suggestions from even the newest members on ways to improve the Junior League’s work, we jumped into to some fall-themed snacks.
 
After a long day, this time together was a sense of renewal and purpose for me – and excitement for the work to come as I adjust to my new city and serve alongside this formidable group of community leaders.