Buddy Packs
Many families struggle to eat healthy meals and snacks every day. The children in these families often go to school hungry in the morning and return home at the end of the day with little hope of having another hot meal until the next day at school. Even more disheartening, the availability of healthy meals and snacks over the weekend is frequently the exception rather than the rule.
Buddy Packs is a community ministry program sponsored by Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church intended to provide weekend meal assistance to children in the University City school district.
How Does Buddy Packs Work?
The church works with schools to identify children whose families want to participate; or families may contact the school principal to learn if they qualify for the program.
A parent or guardian is required to sign a permission form for a child to participate in Buddy Packs. If there is more than one child in a family, a separate permission form is required for each child.
Throughout the school year, the church delivers a packs of nutritious food and snacks for the participating children to take home in their backpacks. The youngsters pick up the food in a designated, secure location. Participation in the program remains confidential, to the extent possible, to protect the children's privacy.
There is no charge for a child to become a Buddy Pack participant; this is a free service sponsored by Faith Des Peres.
What is in a Weekend Buddy Pack?
Nutritious food for breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks for the weekend are provided. Hot or cold cereals, breakfast bars, macaroni and cheese, chicken or vegetable soup, canned vegetables, spaghettios, ravioli, apple sauce, fruit cups, pudding, pretzels, animal crackers, and juice are examples of the items in the weekend meal packs. Parents are asked if there is a microwave oven and a can opener in the home. They also are asked if their child has any food allergies.
How Can I Help and Learn More?
Food and/or monetary donations are always welcome and can be sent or brought to:
Buddy Packs
Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church
11155 Clayton Road
Frontenac, MO 63131
314-432-8029
You may also contact the church office or the pastor for more information about Buddy Packs.