Snack Pack Helps Area Kids With Food Insecurity

Since its inception by then Glasgow High School student Morgan Guttenberg in 2016, the Snack Pack program has seen many changes, not only in it's leadership but with the community's need of the program. After Guttenberg graduated in 2017, the reigns were handed off to Katie Keiser. Upon her graduation in 2019, the Snack Pack program then became solely under the direction of the Glasgow High School Key Club, who is now advised by Carla Swenson and Sheena Wilcox.

Snack Pack began as a Key Club project started by Guttenberg after she attended a Key Club conference hosted by then Montana Governor Steve Bullock. During the conference he highlighted the fact that one in five children in Montana are food insecure. During the conference, the governor challenged attendees to find creative ways to reduce that figure and stated if there was a solution, he would front half of the funding to make the idea a reality. Guttenberg put the idea into fruition and the program has been serving elementary and middle school students ever since. High School students are also served by a "take and go" area so they are able to take what they need. The area includes food in addition to personal hygiene items such as deodorant and toothbrushes.

In previous years, local families have had the opportunity to sign up their child(ren) for the program, which provides a bag of food, often compromising of boxed macaroni and cheese, granola, cereal, fruit roll-ups, VeggieStraws, and similar items. The items in the bag are handed out to elementary and middle school students, in the most discreet way possible, on Thursdays, and the child(ren) will have food available to them to last during the days there are no school, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Since the 2020 COVID pandemic, family needs for this program have increased, as have the cost to maintain the program. According to Swenson, the program received a $50,000 grant through Kiwanis which has helped sustain the program over the past three years, however the funds are rapidly decreasing due to the high cost of inflation and demand. "Last year we serviced 176 students which cost us $20,000. We currently have $6,200 left in the account. We are actively writing grants for more funds and we recently received a $5,000 grant from Town Pump," explained Swenson. "We are grateful for the churches providing us funds, and donations from local community members, which help allow us to purchase the necessary items."

As a result of the high cost of goods, Snack Pack has not yet been put into place this school year to help community children. "Last year, anybody could sign up for the program and it was open to anyone. This year we have had to work on redesigning the program so we can really narrow in on those children and families who need the food when there is no school," stressed Swenson. "We try to support local as much as we can when purchasing items, but the program can not afford the costs with the numbers that we have."

As the Key Club continues to rethink how to best serve the community with this program, there are a couple of new faces to Key Club and providing assistance to Snack Pack. "This is fun. I like helping the community," explained Aspen Probert's reason for being involved in the community organization. "I was a part of Builder's Club last year and I currently hold the Scrapbooker position in Key Club."

This is Molly Whitmer's first experience being a part of this organization so she has looked to her older brother, Connor Whitmer, for guidance and support. C. Whitmer has been a part of this organization since his freshman year and loves giving back when at at all possible. "I love helping people out and giving back to the community. In addition to Key Club, I am a part of Boy Scouts, Pep Band and Speech and Drama. I have a lot of support from my family which helps me be able to balance all of these activities," explained. C. Whitmer.

The Key Club is a part of the Glasgow Kiwanis which is a community service organization. The Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. As a way to help the youth get involved, the Glasgow Middle School has the Builder's Club while the High School has the Key Club. According to Swenson, she would love to see a club be started at the elementary school level as a way to plant the seed of giving back early on.

As the community checks off their holiday shopping this year, Key Club members ask you keep the Snack Pack program in mind. "We truly appreciate gift cards, such as from the local grocery stores or Costco and Sam's Club," stated C. Whitmer. Snack Pack is also a non-profit so a tax deduction receipt can also be provided upon request.

Donations can be mailed to Glasgow High School, Attn: Key Club, PO Box 28, Glasgow, MT 59230, or dropped off to the High School office at #1 Scottie Pride Drive, Glasgow.