No Child Goes Hungry is pleased to support Adrian Elementary School in Adrian, Minnesota, with a donation of two shelving units and storage bins to store food associated with the school’s backpack program. The initiative is spearheaded by Jordan Pater, Adrian Elementary School Counselor, Head Cross Country Coach, and Assistant Track Coach. Pater created a backpack program for hunger-insecure students from pre-K through fifth grade. The program sends students who rely on the school’s free or reduced-cost lunch program home on the weekends with meals and snack food. Pater says the school program is critical due to a lack of other area resources for families in need.
“In our area, there is not a food pantry for 15 miles, and pride is a big barrier,” Pater said. “To have a program that’s simple and easy will hopefully address a need in the community. We are extremely grateful to No Child Goes Hungry for its support and guidance as we establish a sustainable, effective program for the kids in need in our community.”
Adrian, located in Nobles County, recorded 50 to 75 percent of students needed free or reduced-cost lunches during the 2017 to 2018 school year. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the school’s hunger relief advocates feel the need has grown.
NCGH Founder and Director Kären Rasumussen not only donated supplies to Adrian Elementary School, but she also provided mentorship and guidance as Pater made plans to build the school’s program. Having worked with hundreds of food pantry and backpack programs across the country, Rasmussen provided recommendations on the types of affordable, easily digestible, and easy-to-prepare foods that can nutritionally support food-insecure kids.
“What Jordan is doing at Adrian Elementary School—from the ground up—is so inspiring,” said Rasmussen. “It is a pleasure to share best practices that I’ve learned over the past several years of working with school faculty and staff to support students in need. Together, we’re helping to mitigate childhood hunger one child, one meal at a time. Let’s feed some kids!”
Contact us today to learn how NCGH can help support your local hunger advocacy initiative.