We aren't only volunteers, but ironically ended up being clients served without knowing it.
kidsPACK is an amazing organization that brings our community together to give weekend meals to elementary aged children who have been designated by the school system as homeless. Not only do they provide the meals, but they also have family packs that they deliver to the families (through the school) that have extras in it that have been donated from individuals and corporations.
When we moved back to Florida we became involved in a local packing through a friend of ours. We became so passionate about feeding these little guys that we took on a school delivery route and have been doing that for about 3 years now. We do whatever we can to assist when we can.
It is amazing to go into the schools and see how relieved the teachers are that we are there and we always receive many thanks to send back to the gang at headquarters. To know there won't be hungry belly's on the weekend is very fulfilling for the heart and soul.
Not too long ago, one of our grandchildren came up to us and asked if kidsPACK was what we delivered to the schools and what they had helped pack up a few times. We told them "yes, it is - do you know a child who is homeless and hungry?" That's when we found out that there were troubles at home and they had been put on the list and were receiving meals. It was very humbling to know this was going on in our own family, and that their mom was too embarrassed to ask us for help. KidsPACK was there for our grandkids when we had no clue what was going on. To say the least, we were able to step in and help out and get them back into a good situation and get them off the list so that others could benefit. If it wasn't for kidsPACK, we never would have known.
On the flip side, the organization has given my husband and myself something else to focus on other than the daily grind of life - we see deeper into the community and are able to respond. He is a disabled Veteran, and here he finds he is able to continue his service to country - by helping feed those he's helped protect.
I think one of the saddest things we see is at the beginning of the year, when donations are slow, and children who are used to getting the meals give us that sad look and we know there aren't enough meals to go around yet. It's heartbreaking to know that so many are still going hungry even with organizations like kidsPACK. It makes your heart break. And it makes us thrilled when extra packs get sent back to the warehouse - then we know a families situation has improved and that life is getting better. That's when we are all smiles going home. There are organizations that help hungry children all over the world, kidsPACK works to feed the hungry children here on our own doorsteps and in our own schools.
KidsPack is an awesome way to make sure our children don't fall between the cracks where nutrition is concerned. It's easy enough to make sure they are fed during the school week - but Kids Pack makes sure they are fed through the weekends as well.
We've been delivering and packing since we moved back to Lakeland and were introduced to the program. The thank you's we receive from the school administration as we bring our boxes shows us just how much of an impact the program is making in the community. It doesn't matter how busy the offices are, we come in and room is made and smiles are handed out.
The fact that the program is taking off in the corporate world shows that Mr. Browning and his dream of feeding homeless school children on the weekends is not just an idea, but changing how our culture is viewed. Homelessness much less hunger is not excepted in Central Florida.
I LOVE Kidspack because finally there is a group of people who are taking care of the children in our own community. If every community came together in this way we could feed ALL the children in our OWN communities and end childhood hunger. Instead of always reaching out to other countries, before our own citizens are fed, we would make sure our own children are cared for and we would be creating a new generation of people who care for their own and then reach out to other areas
No one likes to feel hungry. Most people complain after only a few hours between meals. But what happens when there is no food available for children? This program serves children who are living in challenging circumstances. The service that KidsPack provides is unmeasurable. It guarantees the children have nutritious food to help them grow both physically and mentally. They can concentrate on being children and fit in as the food packs are placed discreetly so peers are unaware. With child hunger being as large a problem in Polk County, KidsPack acknowledges the need to step forward to help alleviate it. KidsPack has motivated our community to assist the children as well through donations and fund raisers. I am proud to say KidsPack is working in our community. Thank You KidsPack.
Kidspack of Polk County is making sure NO kid in this county goes hungry without any kind of notice being brought to the kid for perhaps not having a meal, they put it backpacks for the kids to take home for the weekend and holidays. It's nice to know that if this were my child she would be fed. I admire everything this group does.
I was introduced to kidsPACK in 2011 after personally diving into the issue of children being fed in our public school system. What my eyes were opened to was a far more serious issue of children not eating adequately, or at all, over the weekend. At that point, I asked kidsPACK, "what can I do?". From that point on, I have worked with kidsPACK to help with fundraising, pack kidsPACKs, organize volunteers, and deliver kidsPACKs to the schools. I cannot say enough about how dedicated and enthusiastci this organization is to providing food to children over the weekend! The administrators of this organization go above and beyond to ensure that the maximum amount of children can be fed each weekend. Also, the volunteers associated with this effort are some of the hardest working people I have been able to meet. If you are concerned about the feeding of the future leaders, workers, and parents of this country, please look into supporting kidsPACK! No child can effectively be educated when they are concerned about their food source throughout the week! Thank you kidsPACK!!!
I've been working with kidsPACK as part of an outreach with my church and was first introduced through volunteer Kim. The time and talent that the volunteers give to this organization astounds me and it is wonderful to see a whole community come together for such a great cause. Knowing that kidsPACK is dedicated to helping feed hungry and homeless kids with food that is completely kid friendly is wonderful. Seeing how much this organization has grown and helped so many people over that last year is just beyond words. kidsPACK gives our church family an opportunity to serve those in need and gives us a chance to involve anyone who wants to help with this cause from elementary aged children all the way up to grandparents!
I first heard about KidsPack this past year and was not completely sure who they were or what they did. After having several meetings with the organizations founders I was quickly amazed at their passion and energy behind the cause. I work for the Lakeland Flying Tigers baseball team and we love to work with great organizations in our community that strive to bring help to our own issues and challenges. My review is based on the work that we did in partnering with KidsPack during the specific month of June 2012. Together we organized and executed "Pack the Park" at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, FL. Over the course of one week we worked together to raise money and awareness for the cause. There was overwhelming support from the community and from local businesses who came together to volunteer and donate their time and money for the cause. We had a great response and raised more awareness then you can put a $ sign on. This is an organization that has been started to address a serious problem; homeless and starving children. I believe that with foundation that is in place and the people behind KidsPack, they will be able to help a lot of children who can not help themselves. I highly recommend KidsPack as a great non profit and look forward to partnering with them more in the future.