The current recession has caused significant hardships for many Missouri families. Deepening poverty is inextricably linked with rising levels of homelessness, food insecurity and hunger. This is especially true for the rural military community served by the Waynesville R-VI School District. Currently, 43% of students in the district receive free or reduced lunch, indicating potential widespread food insecurity issues among the student body. Studies prove even mild malnutrition experienced by young children during critical periods of growth impacts student behavior and the ability to focus and retain knowledge during school. This is an issue that the Waynesville AmeriCorps and VISTA programs are committed to fighting. To support community students, AmeriCorps and VISTA teams have partnered together to implement and facilitate the Snack in a Pack feeding program to provide nutritious food to students over weekends and long breaks from school. The program currently serves an approximate population of 238 preschool, elementary, and middle school students from seven schools throughout the community.

Snack in a Pack (SIAP) began within the AmeriCorps VISTA program, but has blossomed into a robust community volunteer support system facilitated through AmeriCorps VISTA initiated community networking and teamwork. AmeriCorps and VISTA members serve alongside local businesses, military members, community partners, and volunteers to coordinate the weekly purchasing, packing, and distribution of food packs throughout the district. Student volunteers also routinely assist with weekly packing and fundraising efforts.

An AmeriCorps VISTA member who had suffered from childhood hunger initiated the SIAP feeding program approximately four years ago. With the help of a program located at one of the district’s elementary schools, he created the system that now feeds eight times as many Waynesville R-VI School District students. Students are referred to the program by individual school site liaisons, and food packs are discreetly placed in students’ backpacks each Friday to allow for anonymity.

During the 2012-2013 school year, SIAP made a significant move forward by including fresh produce in the weekly packs, while simultaneously decreasing the cost per pack through couponing, bulk purchasing, and community partnerships. AmeriCorps VISTA members have worked to make the program financially sustainable long-term through grants, partnerships, and innovative community fundraisers, including youth and adult Dodge Ball Tournaments that drew over 450 participants. Through these efforts, members developed over $22,000 in resources to support the SIAP program throughout the 2012-2013 school year.

In addition, SIAP services are being offered during summer school for the first time this year. AmeriCorps VISTA members are also continuing expansion and sustainability efforts through the planting of a community garden and the continued establishment of community partnerships to ensure lasting sustainability once VISTA is no longer present.

Without the collaboration and support of AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA, community partners, and volunteers, these students would have little or no access to food over weekends and extended breaks from school. For AmeriCorps and VISTA members, the Snack in a Pack program is an excellent way to help support cognitive development, effective learning, and overall well-being of Waynesville R-VI School District students.