Benny Benson Secondary School receives food from Food Bank of Alaska for their weekend backpack program.
I had a couple come to me and their counselor and inform us that they were living on their own and were struggling with paying for food, gas etc. They had been living with his parents but had been kicked out due to a disagreement. They stated that were only able to eat really at school and were having a hard time getting money together. The girl stated that she had no family up here and had been couch surfing for quite some time before moving in with her boyfriend. The counselor was able to help them with gas cards to get too and from to school and work, and because of the food from the food bank I was able to provide meals for them for after school, the weekend and the inservice days that we have had so much of.
Some of the kids have been noticing that some of their classmates are in need of items and have been bringing stuff in to me so that we can prepare essential item bags for the kids in need. They saw that I had a lot of food from KNN and helped me bring it in, unpack it and place it in the areas where we store the food and then helped me pack after school bags for the kids who need it the most. They have been also advocating for the ones who need the additional help by showing them where it is, who to come too if they need anything, and making sure that the kids who do need the food do not feel embarrassed by asking. They have purchased out of their own money drawstring bags, ziplock bags, and the donated the reusable bags so that the kids do not feel singled out when they grab items.
