Fill the Bus

Food insecurity is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle. 11% of the population in Monroe County is food insecure, which is more than 4,800 people. Furthermore, 1 in 2 children in Monroe County are eligible for free and reduced lunch.

The Sparta Schools Backpack Food Program is a community/volunteer run program that sends backpacks filled with donated food home with students of the Sparta School District to help fight food insecurity. The schools involved are Cataract Elementary School, Lakeview Montessori, Lawrence-Lawson Elementary, Southside Elementary School, and Maplewood Elementary.

Join us at Hansen’s IGA in Sparta on August 11^th from 9am to 2pm to donate food for the Sparta Schools Backpack Food Program. Help us fill the bus to fill kids’ tummies! The goal is to gather enough food for 75 families to make 3 meals. Below are items that can be donated:

• Protein foods like canned tuna, canned chicken, canned beans, nuts, and peanut butter
• Whole-grain pasta, cereal, and oatmeal
• Soups with protein and vegetables
• Fruits that are canned, cupped, dried or sauced (like applesauce)
• Vegetables that are colorful and canned
• Pancake mix (water-based) and syrup
• Boxed meals like tuna helper or macaroni and cheese
• If preferred, monetary donations are also appreciated.

The Sparta Schools Backpack Food Program is also looking for volunteers throughout the school year to help fill the backpacks with food and distribute them to schools. If you are interested or for more information, contact Julie Anderson or Kayleigh Day with the Monroe County Nutrition Coalition at (608) 269-8666, Julie.Anderson@co.monroe.wi.us or Kayleigh.Day@co.monroe.wi.us.