Parsons USD 503 has established the Viking Food Bank for students and their families and is welcoming donations.
Food access for the poor, elderly, disabled and children is being used as a political pawn, and despite judges’ orders directing the Trump administration to fund SNAP benefits with contingency funds during the government shutdown, the government announced Tuesday only half the funds are available and there could be long delays in states distributing those limited funds.
Before the shutdown even took place, Kansas refused to violate recipients’ privacy to meet a federal mandate requiring states to release personal information on all SNAP recipients. Rep. Dan Goddard told a group in Parsons Tuesday that because of this, even if SNAP is funded through contingency funds, according to the federal government, Kansas would only receive a portion of its funding. A court case is pending on the matter.
How it is being handled locally is, Parsons USD 503 schools and community members are coming together to make donations and organize food drives.
USD 503 schools all reported an incredible outreach from Parsons Sonic last week.
“Sonic gave us some coupons for Free Wacky Pack Kids Meals,” Lincoln Principal Shelly Gardner said. “It was very nice of them.”
Garfield, Guthridge and Parsons Middle School all expressed their gratitude to Sonic, as each school was given around 30 or so free kids meal certificates, too.
About 70% of USD 503 students qualify for free and reduced breakfasts and lunches, though all students can eat
See BANK, Page 3.
free with the district participating in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) this year. Even though all students are able to eat a free breakfast and lunch at school when it is in session, evening, weekend and holiday meals for students and their family members remain a concern. Many of these families are on very fixed incomes and cannot take money from their paychecks meant for insurance, gas, rent and utilities to now buy groceries.
Families can turn to places like the Labette Assistance Center that assists families once a month, providing enough food for five to seven days. The LAC is seeking increased donations too, voicing concerns about being able to meet a 25% to 50% expected increase in requests for assistance.
USD 503 staff knows families need more to get through the month. Some school staff, like Alesha Morrison, upon learning about SNAP cuts, immediately responded to the news by purchasing food to give out. Parsons USD 503’s administrators, counselors, social workers and Sparkwheel coordinators from each school met last week determining it is best to organize efforts to help their families who will be without SNAP benefits, and who could face serious reductions in benefits once SNAP is reinstated.
It was decided the best way schools, staff and patrons can help is to set up an in-house food bank, using the high school as a central storage location, and as students and their families at any of the schools have need, they can request food from the pantry.
To kick things off, those starting the Viking Food Bank initiative asked residents to donate food during a Trunkor- Treat last week at Marvel Park sponsored by PHS school clubs and organizations. Food donation boxes were also set up at the football game.
PHS Social Worker Kristina Mayhue said donations from those events, and from staff, have given them a good start.
“We will (also) have a food drive the week of Nov 10-14, before Thanksgiving,” said Mayhue.
While all schools are participating in collections, PHS classes are holding a competition to see which class can collect the most items.
Parents can send food with their children to school, or drop the food off at Parsons High School. PHS building admin has figured out ample storage space.
Mayhue said they are trying to figure out a system for students to “withdraw” food from the food bank the community deposits, allowing a certain amount to be distributed each week.
The district administration is working to create a means for people to make monetary donations, too. A special account will be established. Checks can be made payable to Parsons USD 503, and Viking Food Bank should be noted in the memo. Mayhue said such donations will be used to buy things like baby formula, food for students who may be on restricted diets, or for food items they may be running low on.
Although the Viking Food Bank is being set up in the face of the current emergency, Mayhue said she would like to keep the food bank going in the future with the many unknowns students could be faced with, like their families being told, “the well has run dry” for food assistance.
Our children are our number one priority, and USD 503 and Sparkwheel will do what they can to help meet their basic needs.
