Freestore Foodbank needs money, helpers for Power Packs

The Freestore Foodbank is having a virtual food drive this week to raise money for its Power Pack program.

WCPO 9 and the Scripps Howard Foundation are matching donations made up to $12,000.

Furniture Fair is also a sponsor.

FOUNDATION" AND "FURNITUREFAIR" ARE PARTNERING WITH THE"FREESTORE FOODBANK" ALL THISWEEK TO RAISE MONEY TO ENSURETRI-STATE CHILDREN IN NEEDHAVE SOMETHING TO EAT ON THEWEEKENDS.BUT GETTING THOSEPOWER-PACKS TOGETHER HAS BEENDIFFICULT DURING THIS PANDEMIC.WCPO 9 NEWS REPORTER LISASMITH SHOWS US WHO'S PITCHINGIN TO HELP... AND HOW YOU CANTOO!IT USUALLY TAKES AN ARMY OFVOLUNTEERS TO ASSEMBLETHOUSANDS OF POWERPACKS.FOR THE LAST WEEK..

IT'S BEENTHE OHIO NATIONALGUARD."they packed over 9,000 powerpacks to get out toschools."SCHOOLS LIKE LATONIAELEMENTARY INCOVINGTON."Our school is a high povertyschool.

So, getting basicneeds met is very importantfor any learning tohappen."MARSHELLE BLACKWELL SAYSPASSING OUT POWER PACKS TOHER STUDENTS WHO NEED THEM,,,IS THE BEST PART OF HERJOB."I even had a five year oldthis year who wrote me aletter.

It really brought meto tears, like real lifetears.

She said, MissBlackwell you don't have to dothis for me, but you do andI'm sothankful."THAT CHILD IS ONE OF THOUSANDSACROSS THE TRISTATE..ACCORDING TO TRISHA RAYNERWITH THE FREESTORE FOODBANK .THE BAGS OF FOOD FOR THEWEEKENDS FILL THE GAP FOR KIDSWHO GET FREE OR REDUCED COSTLUNCHES AT SCHOOL,, WHICH IS80-PERCENT OF TRISTATESTUDENTS."We serve over 105 schools andso 215,000 Power Packs go outto thoseschools."THE MENU FOR THESE BOXES--SPAGHETTIOS, CEREAL, GRANOLABAR, BEEF JERKY, JUICE BOXES,APPLE SAUCE, PUDDING ANDADDITIONALSNACKS."Being able to rely on a mealis very important.

It'simportant in their attitudeand it's important in theirattendance."THE PANDEMIC HAS ALSOINCREASED THE NEED, ANDREDUCED REGULAR VOLUNTEERS.THAT'S WHY THE OHIO NATIONALGUARD IS PITCH.

THE FREESTOREFOODBANK WANTS TO BE READY FORWHEN SCHOOL RESUMES THISFALL... ANDBEYOND."From a Freestore Foodbankperspective, we know that thisis going to continue probablyfor the next 18 to 24 months.And, we want to make surewe're in a position to helpall of our schools and all ofourkids."AND, YOU CAN HELP TOO!

ALLTHIS WEEK, DONATIONS TO THEFREESTORE FOODBANK'S VIRTUALFOOD DRIVE FOR THE POWER PACKPROGRAM WILL BE MATCHED BYWCPO 9 AND THE SCRIPPS HOWARDFOUNDATION... UP TO 12-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THEFUNDRAISER IS SPONSORED BYFURNITUREFAIR."Just really make sure thatthe students who's bellieswould be empty..

Are not."LSWCPO 9 NEWSONE POWER PACK COSTS FIVEDOLLARS.

TWO HUNDRED DOLLARSWOULD PAY FOR A CHILD'S POWERPACKS DURING THE ENTIRE SCHOOLYEAR.PLEASE VISIT "FREESTORE-FOODBANK-DOT-ORG-SLASHWCPO9"... TO DONATE.