UTICA
PACKING INFORMATION
Bemis Junior High
12500 19 Mile Road
Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Door 4
Wednesday at 4:15 pm
To volunteer: Email Us
STEERING COMMITTEE
Chairperson:
Wendy Castillo
Vice-Chairperson
Sandra McLeod
Secretary
Rachel Matti
Christina Berra
Laura DeVonce
Trish Horton
Bob Maynard
Joann Maynard
Terri Simpson
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
This is not your normal food charity. Our food is off the Meijer shelf, kid friendly and stays in the community. We understand it is important to know if our efforts make a difference. Because of privacy concerns, our group never has access to names or other individual information. So, we asked teachers with students receiving weekly backpacks.
Ms. Beszka told us; “They joyfully run into the hallway and try to get a peek of what they have for the weekend.” She went on further to say; “I know the [students] that receive the backpacks enjoy coming to school. They care to try their best and learn.” Not being hungry makes a positive difference when a child needs to focus on learning.
Mrs. Whitenight has had up to approximately 20% of her class receive backpacks. Mrs. Whitenight shared; “They receive their backpacks with joy and enthusiasm. They feel a sense of ownership and independence when they receive the backpack.” Volunteer efforts make a difference while your donations make it possible.
This is the eighth year for the Utica team to provide much needed meals to qualified children, who may lack consistent access to food on weekends during the school year. Provided over 66,00 weekend meals to the participating children last year at five elementary schools in the Utica Community School District.
You can bring the “joy and enthusiasm” to children right here in our community. Get involved by being a volunteer, a sponsor or both.
Evening Glow Halloween Run Against Hunger
Join this wonderful family event October 22nd at River Bends Park in Shelby Township. This year the Little Kids Run starts at 9:45 am and the 5K Run/Walk starts at 10:00 am. Online registration: www.eastsideracingcompany.com or download and mail registration to CFGR-Blessings in a Backpack – Utica, 303 East St., Rochester, MI 48307. Little Kids Run $10.00 (No shirt) 5K Run/Walk $30.00 (Register by October 1 to receive shirt). This rain or shine event follows a paved out and back trail for a total of 3.1 miles. Medals awarded to all participants.
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
Overall Male & Female
Master Male & Female
Sr. Master Male & Female
Under 14 Youth Male & Female
Early race pickup will take place on Friday, October 21st, noon – 6:00 pm.
Would you like to volunteer?
–
Would you like to volunteer? – You can volunteer for the Steering Committee or as a volunteer to help.
The Steering Committee is an advisory group which oversees the program for the community. The committee has three main functions. These functions are:
- Weekly operations of the program
- Responsible for raising the funds necessary for beginning the program
- Maintain sufficient funds to ensure the continued running of the program.
We already have a few members for the steering committee, but we could use additional members to round out the committee. The committee meets once a month in the early months of the program and then as necessary to maintain a smooth running of the program. Additional members are needed for the other positions on the committee. These positions oversee Volunteers, Logistics, Inventory, Packing, Fund Raising, and Social Media.
Volunteers are needed on a weekly basis to help with the program. If you have the time to assist with any of these activities, we will welcome your assistance. You can volunteer weekly, once a month or a few times a year. Areas where volunteers are needed are for Packing, Pre-packing, Transportation, and Food Delivery Day. The number of backpacks being packed will determine the time required for these activities but average one hour once a week.
If you would like to volunteer or would like additional information, please CONTACT US.
Adding a school requires financial support and volunteer support. Beyond the money for food, volunteers are needed to move food from Meijer to the packing location, assist with packing, help transport backpacks to and from school on a weekly basis. Read More…