First Lutheran Church of South Bend providing food for kids, needs support

Chauncey Davis Elementary School in South Bend, Wa

First Lutheran Church of South Bend providing food for kids

Schools in the South Bend, Raymond, and Willapa Valley area are fortunate to have many community-minded organizations and individuals who provide generous support to our educational programs and students.  Kids in our schools are cared for by our communities, and one such example is the Backpack Food Program operated by First Lutheran Church in South Bend.


What is a "Backpack Program"?

Essentially, the program provides weekend food to children in need as well as food when school is not in session.  Each Friday, backpacks are stocked with a variety of food items and left at Chauncey Davis Elementary.  Identified students take the backpacks home with enough food for the weekend.  When school resumes the next Monday, backpacks are brought back to school to be restocked for the next weekend.

Typical backpack with weekend food

The need in South Bend

According to the 2016 Census update, 31% of the residents in South Bend are living in poverty.  With a P-12 student enrollment of approximately 600 students, close to 200 students attending South Bend fall within this spectrum.  According to district data, 74% of our students K-12 qualify for Free & Reduced lunch.

I had the opportunity to talk with Pastor Dale Larson (of First Lutheran) this week and received some good information on the vision of the Backpack Program.  Started in 2015, First Lutheran began providing backpacks for 10 students.  The numbers have grown each year, providing 33 students with weekly backpacks this school year.  "In our third year we were able to expand again to reach as many as 33 students with continued support from the Elks, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs, the Legacy Community Outreach Fund, and a new gift from the Eagles Club," says Pastor Larson. "With costs rising to an anticipated $380 per student per year, our current caseload of 34 youth requires $18,050 for this current school year."  "We would love to eventually expand the program into other communities," says Pastor Larson, "there is a big need".

The Backpack Program is seeking additional support to sustain the program currently in South Bend.  Anyone interested in providing support can sponsor a child for the year at $475, food for 34 children for one weekend at $425, or food for 34 children for a month at $1870 dollars.  However, any amount folks would like to contribute is welcome.

Questions about this valuable program can be directed to Pastor Dale Larson, Program Chair Deb Sturgill, or Program Coordinator Tina Kebow.  The First Lutheran office phone number is 360-875-5700 and the email address is office@harborlutheran.org.  Tax deductible donations can be mailed to: First Lutheran Church, PO Box 598, South Bend, Wa 98586.