Childhood hunger exists even in a resort town like Durango. Manna Soup Kitchen, in partnership with the Durango School District, makes and distributes backpacks filled with enough food for the full weekend to local food-insecure children and families.
Children enrolled in the program receive backpacks filled with healthy, non-perishable food items to take home for the weekend. Once per week Manna volunteers, many of whom are retired school teachers, pack and deliver the backpacks to schools for kids from identified families.
This program has operated since 2010, and volunteers visit places like the Boys and Girls Club, all schools in Durango, and other local gathering places every Friday to distribute the backpacks. This takes place throughout the entire school year, feeding many food-insecure children.
As it says on Manna’s official website, “It is essential for children who are food insecure to have access to food, as it is proven that nutrition is essential to academic success. While the free and reduced lunch program offers families support for their children during the school week, Manna is able to offer families support over the weekends.” According to the most recent Feeding America Survey in 2019, 5% of La Plata County’s Children are suffering from food insecurity. As of the 2019 census, 10,961 children reside in La Plata County, which means that 548 children are experiencing hunger. 52% of food insecure county residents do not qualify for SNAP benefits, which means they get no support from the government when it comes to food. Manna’s backpack program attempts to fill these gaps.
To raise awareness and collect donations, many local businesses and organizations, including City Market and the 929 radio station, partner with Manna. If you are interested in supporting this cause, you can donate non-perishable food items or consider a cash donation to Manna. You can also participate in local fundraisers like Pack The Pantry, or participate in Fight Hunger programs through community organizations. You can stay informed about upcoming events and donation needs through Manna’s multiple social media accounts.