Volunteers keep packs full of healthy options

A program designed to meet the needs of at-risk children in Whitefish by providing healthy snacks on the weekends and school breaks is busier than ever.

The Backpack Assistance Program began in Whitefish in 2012 and today is serving more than 60 kids at Muldown Elementary, and the Whitefish middle school and high school.

“It’s going really well,” said director Traci Stolte. “We’ve doubled the amount of produce we send home, and we sent more food home for Thanksgiving.”

Heather Lockhart started the program. She has since moved from the area, but a fleet of dedicated volunteers have kept her mission alive.

“The community, churches and business — everyone is stepping up to help us,” Stolte said.

She notes they have plenty of volunteers, but funding is always a struggle. They recently established nonprofit status, which provides a tax benefit to donors and the program.

“People don’t realize the need here,” Stolte said.

Through the program, at-risk kids are sent home with healthy snacks every weekend and for spring break. Each Friday, volunteers pack up bags of carrots, peas, broccoli, oranges, apples, pears, plumes, kiwi — almost anything fresh and not in a package.

“We try to educate the kids to not eat out of packages,” Stolte said.

Most kids appreciate the healthy alternatives.

“Kids will come up to us to say ‘thank you so much,’” she said. “It’s humbling. I think we’ve made an impact.”

The program is looking at establishing an endowment to provide a scholarship for students who were influenced by the program.

Donations to the program can by made online at www.whitefishfridayfoodbags.org. It costs $12 per month to sponsor a child.