Backpack program needs support

If I have learned anything in my career, it is that some children are far more fortunate than others. I grew up in, what would be considered by many, a poor family. However, looking back, I realize how wealthy we were as a family, compared to what I see on a frequent basis working with students.

I had a dad with a job and a stay at home mom. My mother always stretched dad's paycheck to make sure we had three meals a day and we never went to bed without having eaten something for supper.

Poverty today is not the same as what it was 30 or 40 years ago. For many in our community, poverty doesn't just mean stretching the ham bone and bean soup over three meals instead of two; it means there will be no meal and the children will go to bed hungry.

I know that poverty is an emotionally charged issue, and I am not writing this letter to argue about whether or not we've created a welfare state, or about any other problems prevalent in today's society.

I'm writing this letter to ask for your help feeding the children of Columbia Falls...our children.

Last year we ran a Weekend Backpack Program for our kids. The program provided food and juice to approximately 280 children every weekend. The money used for this program came entirely from donations and from the Montana Food Bank.

The Wave in Whitefish was one of our major contributors. The total cost last year for the Columbia Falls and Whitefish program was $41,000. Of the $41,000, approximately $33,000 was used to purchase meals for our Columbia Falls' children.

We are expecting an increase in the number of children we will serve this year and we need help. Please consider fighting against child hunger and donate to our Backpack Program.

Make your donations to:

The Backpack Program, School District Six, P.O. Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Thank you for your support.

Steve Bradshaw

Superintendent

School District Six