This program was started in 2011 with just 19 children and now, according to their web site end68hoursofhunger.org, serves 1300 children in NH and Maine. It has also spread to New York, Florida, Massachusetts, and California! This program is a 100% volunteer organization with all money donated going directly to purchase food. This website also provides information on the many sponsors involved in this wonderful organization and provides interviews done by NBC with its founder.
Here is how it works. A family will call the nurse at the elementary school to become part of the program. On Friday before they leave school for the day their child will receive a backpack of food to take home. This food is to help cover the time from when a child receives their lunch on Friday until they receive their breakfast on Monday morning. The child returns the backpack on Monday and it is refilled again on the next Friday to go home with the child after school. This cycle continues throughout the school year.
If you would like to donate food, they are looking for these kinds of donations:
6-10 serving package of nutritional cereal
2 serving can of soup or pasta
peanut butter- 18 oz. plastic jar
jelly- 20 oz plastic jar
canned tuna/chicken
cans of fruit
crackers
macaroni and cheese (boxes)
ramen noodles (no cups)
nutrition bars
If you would like to donate your time, any of the above items, or money, please call our Program Coordinators: Sara Gates or Tanya Martin at 603-706-2584. If you would like your child to be a part of this helpful program, please call the elementary school at 603-895-3117 ext. 335 (nurse). She will keep track of any allergies and make sure the request is honored. Please be assured that no embarrassing questions will be asked and all names are kept confidential. Our collaboration with this program is just one more small way in which the Raymond School District supports our families.
I would also like to encourage any eligible families to apply for our confidential free and reduced lunch program. Forms for this program can be found at:
