SEMO Food Bank offering gift wrapping fundraiser to benefit hungry children | Community Spirit

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - Southeast Missouri Food Bank and Earlybirds.com will be teaming up the holiday season to feed hungry children by helping people in the community get a head start on wrapping their gifts.

According to the food bank, the money from the project will go to benefit the BackPacks for Friday Program in the Jackson School District. Community members and staff are working with the food bank to raise money that will feed hungry children on weekends during the school year.

To participate, you can drop by the American Family Insurance Office in Jackson, located at 130 South High Street in Jackson, Mo. starting Dec. 1 until Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. All gifts will be wrapped on a cash donation basis. All supplies for this event have been donated by Earlybirds.com and the space donated by American Family Insurance agent, Janey Foust, to ensure 100 percent of your donation will go to hungry children in the Jackson community.

“Last year, 55 students were served in the Jackson School District through the six elementary schools. This year we want to continue serving those families, but have limited resources. That is why we are seeking funds through different events such as this,” said Kristen Canter, Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s Development Director.

Southeast Missouri Food Bank says they are committed to provide food assistance where needed in the 16 county area it serves and designed Backpacks for Fridays with children in mind. Eligible students receive free meals at school, but weekends are another matter and that’s where the BackPack program comes in. They partner with elementary schools and community organizations to send backpacks full of nutritious food home with the poorest students. The children and their families get the benefit of a steady supply of nutritious food during the entire school year.

Those interested in helping can send donations to:

Southeast Missouri Food Bank
Jackson BackPack Program
P.O. Box 1688
Cape Girardeau, MO 63702-1688

For more information please contact Amanda Winschel at the Food Bank at 573-651-0400 or Janey Foust at 573-243-6377 or Donna Bullard at 573-243-9543. For more information about the gift wrapping event contact Cindy Price at 314-561-9045.

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