HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Food insecurity exists on Guam with a number of public school youth going hungry when not in school, a local nonprofit organization said, and to prepare to combat youth hunger over the summer break the organization is seeking the community’s help to stock up the pantry.
BeHeartfelt, a nonprofit organization, has helped hundreds of middle school and elementary school students combat weekend hunger by sending them home from school with a two-day supply of food every Friday, the organization said. But with school almost out for the summer, the organization hopes to feed kids through the summer with the community’s help.
“As we all know, it takes a village to support our children and, right now, our village pantry needs your help. With only a few months left in the school year, we are rallying together to ensure that our pantry, which feeds 250 kids weekly, is fully stocked with essential food items,” BeHeartfelt Chief Executive Officer Lori Marsh-Marble said.
The pantry helps feed many children who are reliant on school meals, which, according to Marsh-Marble, may be the only meals they eat in a day.
“In Guam, there are hungry children living in tin and/or wood shacks hidden throughout the jungle. The effect of food insecurity on these children includes more frequent illness and delayed cognitive development resulting in poor educational outcomes. Providing food in underserved areas throughout the island will improve the community’s health and its economic vitality,” BeHeartfelt said.
For the meal pack program, the organization needs single packs of hot or cold cereal, juice boxes, fruit snacks, canned goods, chips, breakfast bars and snack food items.
For the month of March, BeHeartfelt will be at Cost-U-Less in Harmon and Tamuning from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 15, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16.
“We invite you to join us at Cost-U-Less Guam by volunteering your time and muscles to help load and unload donations. Every contribution, whether through volunteering or purchasing items from our needed list, plays a vital role in ensuring that no child in our community goes hungry. Your support is invaluable, and together we can make a difference in the lives of these children,” Marsh-Marble said.
Individuals interested in helping can volunteer their time, donate nonperishable food items or do both, according to BeHeartfelt.
To volunteer, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044DA4A622A2FB6-48316622-march
Monetary donations can be made at www.BeHeartfelt.com.
BeHeartfelt will be accepting food donations to keep kids fed during the summer months.
