ShareNet’s Thanksgiving food box distribution will take place Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Signups are now until Nov. 9.

Always a special day on ShareNet’s annual calendar of events, this is our chance to make sure needy families have a holiday that doesn’t know the bounds of poverty and hunger.

ShareNet’s program for school kids, Food to Grow On, resumed in late September, bringing nutritious packs to about 80 students per week at our four Kingston schools:  Wolfle Elementary, Gordon Elementary, Kingston Middle and Kingston High.  We expect the number to go higher as the school year progresses and counselors become more familiar with the students and families who find this support vital, particularly ones new to the school or district.

Supporting our efforts are three volunteers specifically dedicated to Food to Grow On: Linda Hell, Susan Frank and Jerry Ulsund.  This group puts a lot of effort into helping ShareNet make sure these kids in need get their food packs every week like clockwork.  The program is one of those things that sounds simple enough from the outside, but requires a detailed and well-coordinated effort internally.

The process involves purchasing, stocking, ensuring an effective inventory, repackaging bulk amounts purchased at lower cost when available into smaller units, compiling the packs, and delivering to schools.  This year, for the first time, the Food to Grow On volunteers are expanding their role to become more involved than ever by helping ShareNet shop for and stock the program.

Obtaining reasonably priced items for Food to Grow On is a challenge, as healthy, individually served products are typically higher cost and unavailable through our usual networked purchasing power.  Our volunteers are bargain hunters though, and are innovating on sources and products alike.

It would be easy to put a lot of junk in the pack, and unfortunately some operators of similar programs nationwide are forced to rely on such food to round out the packs.  ShareNet utilizes organic produce and whole grains when possible, including oranges, apples, and carrots. Another challenge is that a portion of the pack must be ready to eat, more meal-oriented, and easily consumable.  Try finding such a product which satisfies both the health and the reasonable cost requirement. We’re open to suggestions if anyone in the community is aware of the perfect product to meet this need.

We are truly fortunate in having the community support that allows us to provide this service to our local schools. Parents of kids who receive service from Food to Grow On frequently write in to our website giving us feedback about the program. Recently, a parent wrote in to say, “We both work, but we still can’t make ends meet. Our kids get food at school through your Food to Grow On program. It really helps cover the gaps. I love that ShareNet is so involved in local schools.”

Look for more client stories in the letter going out to Kingston-area households for Neighbor Aid 2012, the annual giving campaign which assures continuation of ShareNet programs.

Typically, the families involved are in very challenging situations.

The depth of food insecurity in a particular household, and sometimes even the ability to cook and maintain a meal structure, is often unknown, making the contents of the Food to Grow On packs absolutely critical to these kids and their families.

— Mark Ince is executive director of ShareNet. Contact him at sharenetdirector@centurytel.net