The number of Powell kids going hungry on weekends is growing.

So is the need for donations to the Backpack Blessings program, which can ensure all of Powell’s elementary students are fed.

The program sends six meals home with more than 80 local elementary-aged kids for the weekend. The identity of the kids is kept confidential, but what is not a secret is that there is a need.

“We were told a story about two brothers that were given a bag of popcorn that had to last them all day on weekends,” said Backpack Blessings representative Nancy Roberts.

Even though there are federal programs and local food banks, some kids still go hungry. The volunteers don’t know why, but they do know it’s happening, Roberts said.

“The parent might be working three or four jobs, or maybe the parents are on alcohol or drugs — why should the kids suffer?” said volunteer Sandy Hatch.

The Backpack Blessings program is a national effort that originated in Gillette, Roberts said.

Since 2011-12, the Backpack Blessings program has been working toward feeding local kids in need. The Cornerstone Church started the program with just Southside Elementary School, and by December 2011, the program expanded its operations into the basement at Union Presbyterian Church, and some of that church’s members joined in the effort. At that time, the program had 30 kids.

“We did not have the money to do all of the schools,” Roberts said. 

Now it is up to 85 and last year had over 90, said Union Presbyterian pastor Jeff Baxter. 

“I think, in small towns like Powell, we hide our poverty well — but it is out there,” Baxter said.

By January 2012, the Presbyterian church began sending meals for kids at Parkside Elementary School. That year, Holly Haines went to other Powell churches to seek help with the program, and it was expanded to include Westside Elementary School.

Word about the Backpack Blessings program spread, and soon other local groups were pitching in as well.

But, by January 2013, the Cornerstone Church was no longer able to continue supporting the program for Southside, so that was taken over by the outreach program — a collection of local people and groups that donate supplies, money and time to the effort.

“I think it is a very important service we need to do for children to be able to have food to eat,” said volunteer Sandy Hatch. “It’s scary there are that many — I don’t know if that is the right word — it is sad.”

The program’s volunteers want to expand into the middle school and high school as well, but there are concerns the older students might feel embarrassed.

“I enjoy it — it is something to do and someone needs to do it,” said volunteer Lyle Haberland. “I am retired and it is good therapy.”

Some of the kids are enrolled in the school’s free lunch program, and some get recommended by school staff. Teachers or their helpers pick up the bags of food, so volunteers don’t even see the backpacks the food goes into each Friday.

“I am just filling bags, but when I see the gratitude of the teachers and helpers who pick it up, and I know how hard Nancy and everyone works, it is satisfying to make a difference in the life of a child,” Baxter said.

Baxter called the program one of the best he had ever seen.

“It is a great thing,” Baxter said.

It costs $573.75 each week to send six meals home with all the children in the program, or about $6,608 for three months, Roberts said. Spring semester is five months long, so it will cost more.

Those funds are put to good use, as each weekend bag contains:

• Two cups of beefaroni and spaghetti rings for dinner each day

• A cup of soup one week, then ramen noodles the next week

• Two juice drinks

• Two different types of fruit

• One pudding cup and one Jell-O cup

• A small box of cereal

• A bag of microwave popcorn

• A baggie with oatmeal, macaroni and cheese and crackers

“It has to be something simple,” Roberts said, noting that all the food can be easily prepared by the kids.

 Most of the food is purchased at Blair’s and Mr. D’s, with a discount. Anything that can’t be bought in Powell is purchased at Walmart, Roberts said.

“We are getting close to the end of our funds at the end of this month,” First Southern Baptist Church’s pastor, Don Rushing, told the Powell City Council on Dec. 7. Rushing spoke on behalf of the program when they requested a waiver of fees to use The Commons for a fundraiser on Feb. 13.

“It would be a good place, with a lot of traffic,” Rushing said.

The time for the fundraiser has not been set, but there will be donated homemade pies, cookies and cupcakes for sale, with all profits going toward keeping the backpack program going.

The City Council unanimously approved waiving the fees.

“It’s a great program,” Councilman John Wetzel said.

One child can be sponsored for $125 each semester by a person or group.

Donations to the program can be sent to the Presbyterian church with “backpack program” written on the memo line — and 100 percent of the donations go toward food for the kids, Roberts said.

Or, to donate to the fundraiser bake sale, contact Union Presbyterian Church or Roberts at 754-2748 or 307-254-1712 or email nancyjeanroberts@gmail.com.