VALDOSTA –Battle of the Bands competition, to be held October 3, will not only provide a good time and good music, but help feed the community’s needy children through the Hungry at Home Backpack Program, sponsored by the Valdosta Junior Service League.
The Hungry at Home backpack program began as a simple concept to feed hungry children at Lake Park Elementary in Lake Park, Georgia. Teachers at the school had noticed a significant increase in the number of children coming to school on Monday morning with critical signs of hunger. They decided that the face of hunger could no longer be ignored and it was time to do something about it.
The Hungry at Home backpack program began in November 2011 when 64 backpacks filled with six meals and four snacks were sent home on Friday afternoon. The backpack program was designed to bridge “the nutritional gap” many children face when they are not at school receiving free/reduced lunches.
• The response from the local community and the Lowndes County School System that soon followed was overwhelming. The thought of one child in our community going hungry was unbearable and unacceptable. Since November, the Hungry at Home organization spread to five additional elementary schools and one middle school. Over 350 students and families are now benefiting from this program. Hundreds of volunteers are graciously giving time each week to put an end to childhood hunger in our community.
• Approximately 60% of the children in the Lowndes County area receive free or reduced meals.
The effort is supported by the Valdosta Junior Service League. VJSL is an organization of more than one hundred women who are dedicated to promoting volunteerism, developing the
potential of women, and improving our community through the interaction of our group with those people and organizations in our community that are in need of our service. Through a collective force of dedicated women, VJSL strives to touch the lives of those in the community that need our assistance and involvement in their programs and outreach. It is with great pride that we are able to donate our funds and time to the Valdosta Community!
The League’s purpose is to improve cultural, welfare, recreational, civic, and educational conditions in our community, and to promote volunteerism and cooperation with organizations. Each active League member commits to volunteering 40 placement hours per year. Placement hours may include committee or service placements with:
– Second Harvest of South Georgia Kids Café
-Community Partners in Education
-DFCS Holiday Adoptions Program
-Annual Foster Parents’ Banquet
-Jacob’s Ladder Therapeutic Horse Camp
-Lakehaven Nursing Home
-Koats for Kids
-School Hearing and Vision Screenings
-Habitat for Humanity
