Program meets critical need by reaching hungry children

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Operation Food Search volunteer Kate Kupstas loaded bags of food into a container operation’s warehouse. These food bags will be delivered to schools as part of Operation Backpack which aims at keeping children fed over the weekend when they are not in school.

One program that is working to alleviate hunger thanks to a community response is Operation Backpack, an initiative of Operation Food Search, the area's largest distributor of free food to needy people.

"We're very proud of the program. It puts food into the hands of young children. That's critical," said Sunny Schaefer, executive director of Operation Food Search.

Last school year the program helped nearly 3,000 children.

The backpack program and Operation Food Search are privately supported by individuals, corporations and organizations. Additional volunteers serve Operation Backpack each week by stuffing backpacks with food and placing them in bins for children in designated schools. The backpacks are then given to needy children on Fridays to bring home to their families.

Four years ago, school administrators, teachers and social workers were contacting Operation Food Search and discussing the need to help children who come to school hungry. "It was determined that at least 85 percent of all the children in the St. Louis Public Schools and surrounding districts in low-income areas rely on free and reduced-price meal programs," Schaefer said. "We became aware that on weekends many times these kids go home and there's no food in their houses. This program was created to directly intervene into the nutritional lives of these children."

A registered dietitian oversees the menu to ensure it is balanced and healthy.

A volunteer, Pat Waldschmidt of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, helps organize the program and visits the schools to assist in the distribution. The Ignatian Volunteer Corps this year has some 30 volunteers assisting at about 20 agencies in the St. Louis area. The program provides men and women, aged 50 and older, opportunities to serve others in efforts addressing social injustice and transforming lives. The volunteers are supported in their Christian faith through a spiritual reflection program.

"The Church always talks about giving your time, talent and treasure. This is my way of giving back," said Waldschmidt, a member of St. Peter Parish in Kirkwood who is in the archdiocese's diaconate formation class.

He had read about Ignatian volunteers in the St. Louis Review and thought the program would be a good fit. His wife was doing volunteer work at the Ronald McDonald House, and he had volunteered at Mind's Eye at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Ill.

The Operation Backpack program fits with his interests in education and helping children, he said. "There are so many kids in the metropolitan area this program helps. Many would go without food all weekend."

He noted that he has seen children as well in homes without water and electricity. "Anything that can be done to help out is wonderful. This is my way of giving my two cents back."

Operation Food Search helps stock several area Catholic food pantries.

For information on the Ignatian Volunteer Corps call (314) 361-7765, ext. 147, email stlouis@ivcusa.org or see ivcusa.org. To help Operation Food Search call (314) 726-5355 or see operationfoodsearch.org.