Purpose
Rock Hill Schools, the Rock Hill School District Foundation, and community volunteers gathered information on the number of students identified by school staff as not receiving adequate nutrition on weekends when school meals are not available. The Back the Pack charity initiative was established as a discreet program designed to provide nutritious, nonperishable food for malnourished students to take home on weekends.
Evidence of Need
In the spring of 2008, the administrative staff of Rock Hill Schools researched external reasons why all students are not achieving. Administrators surveyed Teachers, Counselors, Nurses, and other Support Staff to collect data. Information collected revealed a number of astonishing external problems that hinder student achievement. Identified problems ranged from students not having appropriate medical care, a lack of proper hygiene, and surprisingly 1,117 students displayed consistent symptoms of chronic hunger. Undernourishment negatively affects a student’s health, ability to focus, and overall well being
Our Response
Back the Pack was introduced to the community with a kick-off event on October 3, 2008. Packs filled with nutritious, nonperishable food and juices have been distributed weekly during the school year to over 700 elementary and middle school students for the past 4 years. The local community has overwhelmingly embraced this cause and has provided an enormous amount of financial help and volunteers to support the program. With continuous help from the community, we hope to continue growing the scope of Back the Pack to meet the needs of all identified children.
