The Stevi Food Program, a local non-profit that collects and distributes food to children experiencing food insecurity in the Stevensville area, is preparing to launch its third annual Summer Program Food Drive.
According to Fran Schmitz, program director, the program is preparing to serve 50 children per week throughout the summer and that requires a significant amount of food.
“In the first week we handed out 28 bags of weekly supplemental food items,” said Schmitz. “Each weekly bag weighs just under 5 pounds.”
The annual Food Drive will be kicked off at Super 1 Foods on Saturday, June 22nd and will wrap up with a table outside of Exit Realty on June 29th with information about the program as well as collection of food and monetary donations.
Some of the items needed for these food bags include individual mac & cheese bowls, juice boxes, unflavored oatmeal packs, unsweetened apple sauce and fruit cups, canned vegans individual Slim Jims and Beef Sticks, snack packs of cheese and crackers, Chef Boyardee microwave bowls, Cup of Noodles and microwave popcorn. The goal is to provide food that is ultra-easy to prepare but still nutritional and that kids are likely to want to eat.
“Since starting our program in the summer of 2022, our volunteers have handed out over 2500 non-perishable food bags to children in our community through our Summer Program and Weekend Backpack Programs,” said Schmitz.
Local businesses will be participating as collection drop-off locations; look for window signs. The Bitterroot Star, 115 W. 3rd, #108, will be a collection site.
The program is funded through individual donations as well as grants, such as from Town Pump and the Rapp Family Foundation, and annual donations from the Stevensville Booster Club and Stevensville Parent Teacher Club. Grooves Dance Studio has also donated funds from their 50/50 raffle for the past three years.
For more information, visit stevifoodprogram@gmail.com or call 225-304-3947.