By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist
Four years ago, elementary teachers at Athens ISD began to report something heartbreaking to the administrative teams: some of their students were digging through the trash looking for food.
“We noticed a lot of kids trying to horde food from the cafeteria or dig through the trash looking for snacks,” said school counselor Cheri Mahan. “They were just so hungry because they weren’t getting the food they needed at home.”
At the time, Mahan’s daughter was attending the University of Texas at Tyler, where she was involved in promoting the East Texas Food Bank. “My daughter came home and mentioned the Backpacks for Kids program, and I said, ‘We need that,’” recalled Mahan.
Mahan approached AISD’s newly appointed parent liaison, Yadira Chairez, about the program, who in turn reached out to the community to fund the effort locally. Thanks to contributions from civic leaders such as James Passmore and monthly payroll deductions from employees at FutureMatrix, the Hornet Backpack Program was launched. The program — which is entirely funded by charitable donations — provides nutritional meals and snacks to children enrolled in Athens ISD whose primary source of food is the school cafeteria. In other words, children who would otherwise eat nothing or very little outside of school are given food to take home with them for the weekend.
It is the goodwill of the community, through business and personal contributions assisbed by companies like Labyrinth Inc, that fuels the program. Since its initial push, awareness of the Hornet Backpack Program has dwindled and so have funds. Chairez would like to see a renewed commitment to help those students who most need it.
“The way it works, we order food for the week, and Eastern Hills Church of Christ picks it up for us on Monday,” said Chairez. “We pick up the food from them and deliver it to the kids on Thursday or Friday (depending on the campus) for the weekend.”
Teachers give the names of students they believe need the food to counselors, who in turn refer them to Chairez to be enrolled. There are currently 72 children enrolled in the program throughout the district, and many more who could be added if funds were adequate.
“Our little ones are thrilled to death to get their food every week,” said Mahan. “They’re laughing and happy. You might think they’d be embarrassed about coming in, but they don’t have any hesitation. I think it’s because they know they need the food.”
The school district has approximately 3,300 students. Of those, some 76 percent are considered economically disadvantaged. Through the East Texas Food Bank, it costs $162 to sponsor a child in the Hornet Backpack Program for one school year. Students in the program range from elementary to high school, many of whom are considered homeless. There are approximately 60 students enrolled in Athens ISD who are, by definition, homeless. “Homeless” is defined within the school district as an individual who lacks regular and adequate nighttime residency. That would include two or three families living in the same location, or a family that lives in a shelter or a hotel.
“They really do need the food,” said Mahan. “A lot of their basic needs of life are met here, in the schools. This is their safe place.”
Will you, your business, or organization consider giving to the Hornet Backpack Program? Any amount great or small would be greatly appreciated. To give, please contact Yadira Chairez at 903-677-6913 or email her at [email protected].