News : Vinton Kiwanis Club donates to The Backpack Program

The Vinton Kiwanis Club donated a check to The Backpack Program (formerly known as Operation Backpack) for students of the Vinton Shellsburg Community School District. Funds were raised through a virtual "MILES FOR MEALS 5K Run/Walk"  and donated to the group to supply food for students in need. 

The participants in the 5K race were entered into a drawing for prizes. 

Adult Winners were:

Kellie Roberts & Susan Rollinger Both will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to Kwik StarYouth Winners: Loren Henkle & Reghan Hermanson Both will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to The Black & Gold Shop

The group was able to donate $1,500 to The Backpack Program which will provide 300 bags of food for families in the area. The group used to have pallets of food to divide up, but now it is pre-bagged at around $5.00 per bag by HACAP. The Backpack Program costs roughly around $16,000 a year to operate. 

The program was started by two alumni of Vinton-Shellsburg's Class of 2015, Riley Ries and Kylie Miracle. Their vision started a program that is still in existence 5 years later. The program is serving more than 80 families each week throughout this school year. Each Friday the bags go home with cereal, snacks and staples to help families throughout the weekend. The two students leading the program this year are Madi Atkinson and Ethan Rollinger. The two shared with the Kiwanis Club a few weeks ago the need for students to have proper nutrition. They explained that the food not only helps to feed the students but it helps in brain development and concentration in class. Madi shared that there is a real need in the community to help these families. 

If you are interested in donating to the program, contact:

Molly Noren

Student Service CoordinatorVinton-Shellsburg Community Schools
319-436-4728 Ext. 5867