LUBECK - Volunteers Wednesday packed hundreds of meals for a program at the Lubeck United Methodist Church benefitting Lubeck Elementary School children.
Lunch Sak provides weekend meals for more than 90 students at Lubeck Elementary who would otherwise not eat. Sak is an acronym for Serving All Kids.
With the Christmas vacation next week, students will be away for almost two weeks and hundreds of meals are being packed for them.
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Photo by Jeffrey Saulton
Keith Mayer, left, and Destiny Spratt pack a bag Wednesday for the Lunch Sak program at Lubeck United Methodist Church, which serves more than 90 students at Lubeck Elementary School.
"It will be a little chaotic," said Betsy Martin, an organizer of the program and the wife of the Rev. Jim Martin, pastor of the church.
Lunch Sak started last school year as a pilot program, Martin said. Initially, about 30 to 40 students participated in the program.
"I think it's been very successful," Principal Mary Thomas of Lubeck Elementary said.
Participation is now above 90, Thomas said.
"That's about 25 percent of the school," she said.
The packages contain foods that have a long shelf life, Martin said.
Fresh fruits aren't included because of that, she said. The meals include prepared fruits, such as apple sauce, Martin said.
Included are meals for breakfast, lunch and a snack. Martin said. The budget is $2.50 a day, she said.
Breakfast includes a cereal or breakfast bar, a fruit cup and juice or milk pouch. Lunch includes a pasta cup, pretzels, a pudding or fruit cup. Snacks include granola bars, peanut butter or cheese crackers.
Meals also are included for the brothers and sisters of participating children who are from 2- to 18-years old, she said.
The program has no income criteria or other guidelines for participation. Martin said. Participants are anonymous, she said.
The first year of the program was a trial, Martin said.
"We're still ironing out the kinks," Martin said. "I think in general we're getting a good response."
The school is appreciative, Thomas said. More families are participating as word spreads, she said.
"The families are looking forward to this," Thomas said.
Volunteers meet twice a month, usually on Wednesday, to pack the meals, Martin said. The group met Wednesday night for the Christmas holiday packing, she said.
The program is financed by the church and donations connected through the school and community, Martin said. Operating costs and other overheard expenses are covered by the church.
Donations can be taken to the church at 1771 Harris Highway, Crazy Bone Dog Salon at 212 Seventh St., the Downtown Specialty Bakery at 529 Market St. and NOE Office Equipment at 610 Green St.
