WATERFORD

PACKING INFORMATION

Riverside Elementary
5280 Farm Road
Waterford, MI 48327

Wednesday at 4 pm

To volunteer: Email Us

STEERING COMMITTEE

Chairperson:

Richard Berkfield
Debbie Berry
Mary Craite
Rev. Cora Glass
Kimberly Grinnell
Kitty Hudiburgh
Kim Huttenlocher
Carol Hopkins Kozel
Anne Kruse
Hon. Richard D. Kuhn, Jr
Barb Laing
Janice Lynch
Mike Morgan
Rachel Pierre
Jeffrey Rabanus
Erica Rolack
Nikki Tippett
Katie Ward

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Ending Hunger One Child at a Time – In 2011, Waterford resident and retired educator Barb Laing watched an episode of “60 Minutes” about childhood hunger.  Moved by the real need kids were facing across America, Barb knew that she had to act, and act quickly.  She searched the Internet for ways that she could help, and discovered a national program called Blessings in a Backpack.  Then and there she decided to start a chapter to help the children in her community.

Barb, a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church, reached out to her church family to ask for help.  The positive response was immediate, and the project began to grow.

The members of CUMC donated startup funds, and Barb began contacting educators, local businesses, friends, and Waterford officials to get additional help — and to find out what schools were most in need of services.

With Barb and the CUMC family leading the way, the program started at Sandburg Elementary with donated funds, and volunteers from every demographic in the community –- senior citizens, students, businesses, elected officials, teachers, and more!

Blessings in a Backpack – Waterford now operates at both Riverside and Donelson Hills Elementary schools, feeding more than 350 children each year.  Though the coronavirus slowed us down in 2020, we are now preparing for a new school year.  We know the need is greater now than ever, and we are committed to filling empty backpacks, and empty bellies, until no child is hungry.