Grand Forks AFB Honor Guard help take a bite out of hunger

  • Published
  • By Tim Flack
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D --  How quickly do you burn through $80 on junk food, video rentals, magazines, or going to the clubs?

Would you give up those luxuries if you knew that the money would help feed a hungry child, a little boy or girl whose only healthy meal of the day is the lunch they get at school?

The Airmen of the 319th Air Base Wing's Honor Guard have answered that question with a resounding "Yes."

They've promised to sponsor 20 children from Sweetwater Elementary School in Devils Lake, N.D., about 75 miles west of the base, for the next three years. About half of the school's 200 children qualify for the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal Program. As heartbreaking as it sounds, too many go hungry over the weekends.

Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Rose, Honor Guard Program Manager, was looking for a volunteer program to help her Airmen gel as a team.

"I wanted to find something unique for these Airmen," Rose said. "Something good for them and good for the community."

She read a news article about a non-profit organization called, "Blessings in a Backpack." The organization's goal is to deliver healthy food to kids at the end of each school week so they won't go hungry over the weekends.

Rose said she was surprised to learn there weren't any schools registered in North Dakota. She pushed out a request locally, and officials from Sweetwater answered the same day.

"They couldn't believe that we were seeking schools that needed help," she said.

On April 12, Honor Guard Airmen helped pack the first shipment for delivery, separating raisins, apple sauce, noodles, tuna lunch kits, nutritious snack bars and other goods into separate bags.

Rose said the goal is "maximum impact ... as much healthy food as we can get for the buck."

"The only meals some of these kids are getting are at school," Rose said. "We're filling in the gap."

Blessings in a Backpack uses a system they call, "The Power of $80." That much money can feed a single child for the 39 weekends in a school year. That means the Honor Guard needs to raise $1,600 a year - or the equivalent in food - for the next three years to honor its commitment.

Rose is happy to report that they're not alone in the effort.

"Private organizations all over the Wing are donating money to us by sponsoring kids and various booster clubs have also said they will donate money," Rose said. She said units across the base are also collecting food items.

"The generosity and support of all the Airmen on base has been remarkable," Rose said. "The teamwork and unity that our base displays every day is proof positive that we as Airmen can have a huge impact in our community."

Laura McLaurin, a counselor at Sweetwater, said the school was "ecstatic to receive the wonderful news," that base personnel wanted to help.

"The impact on our kids will be tremendous," McLaurin said. "Poverty is a problem for too many of the kids in our community. Hunger is such a basic need that isn't being met for some."

The toughest part, she said, is deciding how to choose the 20 children who would receive the backpacks from Grand Forks.

"We are truly hoping that this can continue to grow for next year and we can offer the program to even more of our students," she said. "I don't know that we can truly show our appreciation and gratitude for the members of the GFAFB that are supporting this program."

To donate, contact Rose at: 747-6162 or email her at stephanie.rose@us.af.mil